Glow Stick

chemistry · light · recreation

Chemical magic happens. When you bend a glow stick, you break a seal inside that lets two special chemicals mix together. This creates a reaction called chemiluminescence, which produces light without heat, like how fireflies glow.

Glow colors vary. Glow sticks come in different colors because different chemical combinations produce different colored light. Green and blue are the most common, but you can also find yellow, red, and even white.

Light lasts hours. Once activated, a glow stick keeps glowing for several hours depending on the type, but you can make it glow dimmer and longer by putting it in the refrigerator.

Party and safety uses. People use glow sticks at concerts, raves, and camping trips for fun, but they also help emergency workers and military personnel see in the dark without giving away their position.

One-time only. Glow sticks can only be used once because once the chemicals finish reacting, the light stops and you have to throw it away, unlike a flashlight that you can turn on and off.