Materials: • Bottle filled with a very small amount of yellow-colored soda • Highlighter pens • Hydrogen Peroxide • Dishwashing liquid Step 1: Begin the experiment by adding a few drops of dishwashing liquid to a very small amount of yellow-colored soda. Step 2: Add one to two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. NOTE: For a brighter solution, you may also add fluorescent dye found in highlighters. Just cut small pieces of the highlighter refill and add to the solution. Step 3: Immediately seal the bottle, and vigorously shake it. Turn off the lights if you want to see a brighter glow. How does it work? What you’ve just seen is a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence. Peroxides, with their ability to release large amounts of energy during some chemical reactions with fluorescent liquids or dyes, usually trigger the bright glow. Glow sticks, however, make use of a stronger chemical like phenyl oxalate ester mixed with hydrogen peroxide—that’s why they can glow for a longer period of time.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 11:03:36 +0000