What voltage produces the sparks in a Lifesaver that's being crushed?

Question

I know how the voltage is produced (by a charge separation between the two fracturing surfaces), I want to know exactly how many volts it is.

I know how the voltage is produced (by a charge separation between the two fracturing surfaces), I want to know exactly how many volts it is. Assume maximum "chomp."

@Dave: I agree the energy comes from the crushing, but I think it is translated into voltage and then into light. According to JT Dickinson et al in the 1984 paper "Electron and Positive Ion Emission Accompanying Fracture of Wint-O-Green Lifesavers and Single-Sucrose Sugars," the triboluminescence is in part due to the dielectric breakdown of air because of charge separation occuring on the fracture surface, which I'm assuming implies a voltage. But I could be wrong about that.

Answer 1

why don't you calculate the voltage/current necessary to produce photons in the range of light that you observe? i say this even though i wouldn't know where to start myself.


.....that's hilarious that there's a paper out about triboluminescence in wintergreen.

Answer 2

It is not an electrical voltage.

The spark comes from a process called "triboluminescence". The energy that charges up the electron structure to emit the light comes from the crushing of the material. There are several triboluminescent compounds out there besides wintergreen.

Answer 3

different voltage for the different force of "chomp"

NOTE: Since you now presume "maximum chomp", the only way to determine the precise voltage potential is to measure it. Since this is a non-standard application for a multimeter, I would suggest a series of experiments utilizing different test points, until you find the highest reading. I suggest you start by sticking one probe into your eye socket and the other probe directly into your anus, and then go from there.