what would it take to make it last forever?
2006-09-23 16:00:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The glowstick emminates light thanks to a chemical process called 'chemoluminescence.'
Inside the stick itself are three separate chemicals. Just on the other side of the plastic are the dye and a material called 'cyalume.' Inside the glass (which is what you hear cracking when you, well, crack a glowstick, is a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution.
When the mixture of chemicals react, they produce the glow that we're so used to. But, to make the light, the chemicals themselves actually break down as they react.
There is only so much chemical available inside the tubes. The glowstick glow 'length' is dependant on a chemical phenonoma studied under the names 'kinetics.' This is the study of reaction rates.
Try this experiment... take two of the same glowsticks. Place one in the refrigerator and leave the other at room temperature on the table. After the one in the fridge has has some time to cool down (maybe an hour or two), crack both at about the same time and shake them up well. Leave the cold one in the fridge and leave the other on the table.
Every once in a while (maybe every half hour or hour), look at the sticks. You will find the one at room temperature starts brighter, but doesn't last as long. The one in the fridge is dimmer, but will last a much longer time.
At room temperature, the chemicals themselves are actually moving at a faster rate inside the tube than the ones at the cooler temperature. This means they bump in to eachother more often, which means they react more, which means it produces more light. The colder the temp, the slower the reactions go and the less light produced. But, slower reactions also mean the chemical isn't 'eaten up' as much over time.
Anyway... the reason they wont last forever is that glowsticks depend on a chemical reaction that consumes a finite amount of chemical. Independant of any energy supply and just using the chemicals inside the tube... I don't believe there is any way to create an "everlasting glowstick."
2006-09-23 16:23:34 · answer #1 · answered by Los Cabos SJD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A glow stick works because of a chemical reaction. The chemicals are releasing energy in the form of light as a result of this reaction. Eventually the chemicals have all reacted and the reaction is finished. This happens slowly, over time, and the glow stick fades out. In order for it to last forever, you would have to have an infinite supply of reactant chemicals.
2006-09-23 16:07:44 · answer #2 · answered by James F 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the chemicals in the reaction lose their energy. It takes two different chemicals (minus any preservatives and inert ingredients) to cause the glowstick to luminesce. When all of the energy in the system is used up, the luminescent feature dissipates.
2006-09-23 16:09:09 · answer #3 · answered by necroth 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I reckon it would take the same type of thing as any solar powered gadget in order for the glow to last forever!
2006-09-23 16:08:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
its glows because it it a chemical reaction that causes it to glow, the chemicals are being used up.
there is not way to make it last forever.
you can how ever make them last a little longer bye putting them in you freezer during the day
you might get one more day out of them
2006-09-23 16:09:39 · answer #5 · answered by Erik N 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a chemical reaction that gets used up after a while.
2006-09-23 16:07:09 · answer #6 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because it just doesnt want to see your face anymore
2006-09-23 16:03:01 · answer #7 · answered by katie 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋