Biology
What makes fireflies glow in the dark?
Quick fact
Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction in their abdomen involving a molecule called luciferin.
Why this is interesting
Fireflies create a chemical light that produces almost no heat, unlike a lightbulb which gets hot to the touch.
Read the full explanation
Understanding What makes fireflies glow in the dark?
When oxygen combines with luciferin, a chemical reaction occurs that releases energy in the form of light, not heat.
A deeper explanation
This process, called bioluminescence, is incredibly efficient, converting over 90% of the chemical energy into light. This is nature's version of a perfect cold light.