Chemistry
The Chemistry Behind Chemiluminescent Reactions
Quick fact
The light from a glow stick is so efficient that it can be seen in total darkness for hours, yet the reaction produces almost no heat—some chemiluminescent reactions have a quantum yield close to 30%, meaning nearly one in three molecules emits a photon.
Why this is interesting
You’ve snapped a glow stick and watched it shine, but have you ever wondered where that light comes from? It’s not heat, not electricity—it’s pure chemistry!