Cyalume light sticks

Temperature and reaction rate. A chemical reaction in the Cyalume light sticks produces light as it takes place. 

The rates of most chemical reactions increase as the temperature rises. For example, dough rises faster at room temperature than when refrigerated, and plants grow more rapidly in warm weather than in cold. We can see the effect of temperature on reaction rate by observing a chemiluminescence reaction (one that produces light), such as that in Cyalume light sticks ( Figure 14.13). 

Figure 8.4 The reaction that makes a Cyalume light stick glow takes place more rapidly in hot water (left) than in ice water (right). The light sticks outside the container are at room temperature. Which pair of sticks would glow for a longer time Explain your reasoning.

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "Light- sticks," Chemical Demonstrations, A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Vol. 1 (The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1983), pp. 146-152. Cyalume lightsticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on reaction rates. 

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