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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Are Glow Sticks affected by Temperature?

As everybody knows, glow sticks are the best party favors, especially in dark late night parties and in twilight parties. The glow given by them is due to a chemical reaction. They are simple plastic tubes having chemical substances. The chemicals are separated by a glass vial. By just bending the plastic tube, the inner glass tube breaks combining the chemicals. A chemiluminescent reaction between them gives a colored glow.

As you know, a chemical reaction alters with variations in temperature. So, the glow given by the glow sticks also changes with temperature. At a warmer temperature, they glow with a brighter light. However, this decreases the chemical reaction time. This means that the length of time that the glow stick glows is reduced. When the temperature is colder, the reaction time is longer. So, the light from glow sticks lasts for a longer time. However, it is dimmer. Therefore, as temperature decreases, the intensity of light decreases and the duration of light output increases.

When you want to make a glow stick glow for a longer time, or reactivate a dead glow stick, just keep it in boiling water for about 30 seconds. The light stick then glows for more half an hour. It even gives more brighter light. If you want to retain the used glow stick, then place it a freezer for some time. This stops the reaction going on. Whenever you want to use it back, keep it in warm temperature. Knowing these simple tips can help you use the glow sticks as per your desires and needs. However, make sure that the chemicals are not spilled on your body and clothes.

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