The chemicals inside glow sticks mix to make a fluorescent light.
Glow sticks are a great example of science--specifically, chemistry--in action. They have many practical uses and just as many that are purely fun and entertaining. They might help to save your life on a camping trip, or provide you with some distinctive flair for your next big concert outing.
Components
Most commercial glow sticks contain the same basic components. They have an outer casing made of plastic and an inner vial made of glass. This glass vial contains a chemical known as phenyl oxalate ester, and it floats in a chemical solution of hydrogen peroxide and fluorescent dye that is contained within the plastic tube. The fluorescent dye is available in many different colors.
Chemical Reaction
In order to activate a glow stick, causing it to light up, you must bend the plastic tube until the inner glass vial breaks. The phenyl oxalate ester and hydrogen peroxide will combine, and the chemical reaction will produce energy. This energy stimulates the electrons in the fluorescent dye, and their increased movement will result in the production of light. Further shaking of the glow stick will allow the fluids to mix evenly, improving the quality of the light.
Product Life Expectancy
Glow sticks have a life expectancy that is directly related to their temperature. In a cold, dry setting, glow sticks will last much longer, but they will not glow as intensely as they would in normal conditions. In a hot, humid setting, the exact opposite is true; they will not glow for very long, but the intensity will be much greater. These same basic principles should be applied to the storage of glow sticks. Warm temperatures should be avoided, as they will decrease the shelf life considerably.
Uses
You could make the argument that there are very few bad uses for a glow stick. Obviously they should not be punctured or ingested, but beyond these basic rules of common sense, the sky's the limit. Practical uses include camping and scuba diving; campers can use them to mark trails in the dark, and scuba divers can use them to send warning signals, attracting the attention of their fellow divers. On the less serious side, glow stick are a popular party favor at children's birthday parties, and can help create a fun and colorful atmosphere at concerts and sporting events, where many sticks are lit up all at once.
Similar Products
The science behind glow sticks is not limited to handheld plastic tubes. Many different glow products have been created over the years, such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings and key chains. Novelty items like bunny ear headbands are also available. These types of products will glow for about eight to 12 hours on average, and some even have separate chemical chambers that allow a multicolored glow to be created.
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