Glow sticks, also known as light sticks, are a temporary light source self-contained in a sealed plastic tube.Glow sticks or light sticks are plastic sealed tube that is translucent. It generates light through a chemical process called chemiluminescence.Chemiluminescence is the process of producing light through a chemical reaction. During chemiluminescence, two chemicals react to reach a high-energy intermediate product. This intermediate product releases some of its energy as photons of light to achieve a stable state. Examples of chemiluminescence chemical processes are also found in animals and insects like jellyfish and fireflies. Lightsticks cannot be turned on or off. Once it is bent, the reaction starts and cannot be reversed or stopped. They are also non-recyclable, and once they are dead they have to be thrown away. If you crack it open, the glass inside the glow stick breaks.If you are enjoying reading this article why not read some of our other articles too, like do golf sticks float? And do helicopters have wheels?Glows Stick: CompositionGlow sticks contain two chemicals, a base catalyst, and a suitable fluorescent dye. Inside the plastic tube is a mix of the base catalyst, usually calcium salicylate, the dye, and the chemical, diphenyl oxalate.There is another small glass vial inside containing another chemical called hydrogen peroxide. Sometimes a chemical called dibutyl phthalate is also used in light sticks. Various chemicals generate different fluorescent dyes; for example, Rhodamine B generates red light, Rubrene generates yellow light, 5,12-Bis (phenylethynyl) naphthacene generates orange light, 9,10-Diphenylanthracene emits blue light, 9,10-Bis (phenylethynyl) anthracene generates green light. They don’t have radium in them, and these chemicals are non-toxic. Hydrogen peroxide is also used in hair dye. The green and yellow glow sticks glow the brightest.Glow Stick: ApplicationGlow sticks are waterproof and inexpensive. They don’t generate heat and don’t require batteries. All of these features make them useful for a lot of applications.Glow sticks can be used for fishing, camping, scuba diving, night sports like night golf. Keeping a glow light product in a survival kit is always recommended as it can help mark your location in dark places. Glowlight products also find applications as decorations during festivals like Halloween and Independence day. Parties and fundraising events use glow light stick decorations, flower arrangements.During natural calamities like earthquakes and emergencies, glow sticks tend to be used as a light source as electricity can be dangerous during such circumstances.Glow sticks are a one-time-use product. Once the chemicals inside have reacted, they cannot be reactivated again. A light stick can last from 4-24 hours. The shelf life depends on the brand, color, temperature of the surrounding environment, and product type. A smaller lightstick will last for a shorter duration because of the number of chemicals. There are special-use glow sticks made with a special powder that has a shelf life of over 24 hours.Temperature can affect the glow and lasting power of a glow stick. The glow will be dim in cold temperatures, but the reaction lasts longer. Therefore putting the glow stick in a freezer or cold water will slow down the reaction and prolong its use by some time, but it won’t stop the reaction completely. In warmer temperatures, the glow becomes brighter, and the reaction happens more rapidly.Dangers Of Glow SticksGlow sticks should be used with caution, and the outer plastic casing should not be cut open or ingested. The plastic tube filled with chemicals can cause stinging and burn eyes, throat irritation if consumed and irritate the skin on contact.If a glow stick leaks and you come in contact with glow stick liquids, it can be washed off with clean water. The fluid inside is non-toxic. But, the chemicals inside can soften plastic materials and wrap them up. They are advised to be kept away from painted surfaces and plastic products. Unlike popular belief, there is nothing radioactive or toxic in glowsticks. It is the chemical reaction between diphenyl oxalate and hydrogen peroxide, along with a suitable dye that results in the glow.The chemical reaction between the diphenyl oxalate and hydrogen peroxide also produces phenol in small amounts as a by-product. Inside a broken glow stick, phenol can sting the skin and cause minor skin redness and dermatitis.Pets should not be allowed to chew or ingest a light stick as it can be irritating and toxic for them too. If your cat or dog chews a light stick, they may gag or vomit from the toxic liquid.According to poison control center reports, glow stick or light stick poisoning is reportedly common during Halloween and Independence Day. In case of ingestion, the local poison control center must be contacted.Working Of Glow SticksGlow sticks have two separate sections in a sealed tube filled with two separate chemical solutions. In most glow sticks, a glass ampoule has a mixture of hydrogen peroxide. The other section has another chemical called phenyl oxalate ester and desired color fluorescent dye. The hydrogen peroxide inside the small glass vial is surrounded by phenyl oxalate ester.When someone bends a glow stick, the inner glass vial inside the glow stick breaks, and the chemical reaction takes place. This results in the light emitted by the glow stick. When hydrogen peroxide solution and the diphenyl oxalate react with each other, the diphenyl oxalate is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide. This creates a reaction called exergonic reaction. This chemical reaction produces an unstable compound known as 1,2- dioxetanedione. This compound can readily decompose into carbon dioxide and release energy during decomposition.The electrons of the dye absorb the energy given off during this decomposition. The electrons transform into an excited state. These electrons lose their excess energy in the form of light photons when they return to their original state. This process is called chemiluminescence. The energy given off depends on the structure of the dye molecule; hence different colors can be achieved. The dye molecules remain in the solution, but hydrogen peroxide and diphenyl oxalate get used up until one of them is finished. When the chemical reaction stops and the glow sticks stop emitting light.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! 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Glow sticks, also known as light sticks, are a temporary light source self-contained in a sealed plastic tube.
