Lightsticks

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. 

B. Z. Shakhashiri, Lightsticks in Chemical Demonstrations A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Volume 1 (Madison Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 1983), 146-152. 

Lightstick Chemistry. Moravian College, Chemistry Department, http //www.cs.moravian.edu/chemistry/lightstick/l st scheme.html... 

Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Lloyd ) G. Williams, Glen E. Dirreen, and Ann Francis, "Cool-Light Chemiluminescence," /. Chem. Educ., Vol. 58,1981,70-72. Cyalume lightstick chemiluminescence reactions. 

Lawrence Migdale/Science Source/National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced with permission p. 207 Woman, wearing a uniform, holding three Chemiluminescence lightsticks, photograph. 

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