Lightstick chemical reaction

Few of us recognize that the fascinating glow of a lightstick at a carnival or fair arises from a complex series of chemical reactions. The chemist s palette—a variety of ingredients with specific chemical structures—produces the rainbow of colors seen in these novelties. 

Cyalume lightsticks are used to demonstrate the effect of temperature on reaction rates. Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, "Lightsticks," Chemical Demonstrations A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Vol. 1 (The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1983) pp. 146-152 Bassam Z Shakhashiri, Lloyd C. Williams, Glen E. Dirreen, and Ann Francis, "Cool-Light Chemiluminescence," ]. Chem. Educ., Vol. 58, 1981, 70-72. 

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