1. The Glow-in-the-Dark Spark Measuring the Luminescence in Glow Sticks
Sarah Maloney

3. Question
Do glow sticks glow brighter in warmer temperatures or colder temperatures?

4. Hypothesis
If the luminescence of glowsticks is measured at different temperatures,then the glowsticks will display increased luminescence, measured in volts, as the temperature increases

5. Background Information
The main chemical in glow sticks in luminol.
Luminol is composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen
When an atom is excited the electrons go up in energy and energy levels.  When they fall back down to their normal spot, they release energy in the form of light photons. The more heat applied to the electrons the more sped up they get, so when they fall back down to their normal energy level they release more light.

6. Materials
Jar
Sensor
Water bath
Ice bath
Glow sticks

7. Procedure Assemble Sensor Set up water baths
Set up each glow stick at its designated temperature

8. Independent Variable: temperature of water
Dependent Variable: amount of luminescence (voltage) given off by glow sticks
Constants: jar, sensor, probe

9. Data for 40°C Water 40°C 43.6°C 8volts 41.7°C 10volts 42.6°C 42.4°C

10. Data for 35°C Water 35°C 35.6°C 7volts 35.4°C 5volts 35.5°C 6volts

11. Data for 24°C Water 24°C 25.9°C 4volts 23.1°C 5volts 23.0°C 24.2°C

12. Data for 15°C Water
15°C
16.7°C
0volts
15.9°C
16.2°C
17.1°C
17.9°C

13. Averages
This graph shows the average voltage for each temperature of water that the glow sticks were placed in. Notice that the voltage of the glow sticks increases as the temperature increases. This suggests that when a glow stick is placed in a hotter temperature, it will glow brighter than when it is placed in a colder temperature.

14. Averages
This graph shows the average voltage of the glow sticks at different temperatures with error bars. Notice that the error bars do not overlap showing that the results were accurate. This suggests that when the temperature is warmer, the voltage will be higher in the glow stick.

15. Trend
This graph shows a trend that forms from the data of this experiment. The trend line of this graph shows that as the temperature of the water decreases, the voltage of each glow stick increases. This also verifies that the hypothesis was supported.

16. Inconsistencies Environment Defect in the water bath

17. Conclusion
Question- Do glow sticks glow brighter at higher temperature or lower temperature?
Answer- Glow sticks glow brighter at a higher temperature.
The hypothesis was supported

18. References
Casciato, C. (2010, July 16). Ten things to know if you’re going to Global Dance Festival. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from
Chaplin, E. (2009, December 1). What Chemicals are in glow sticks? Retrieved October 6, 2010, from Demand Media Property website:
The chemical reaction. ( ). How luminol Works. Retrieved October 7, 2010, from Discovery Company website:
Chemiluminescence . (n.d.). Retrieved 2010, from JRank website:
Leland, J. K., Nacamulli, L., & Yang, H. (2002). Chemiluminescence. In McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (Vol. 4, pp ). McGraw-Hill.
What does luminol do? ( ). How luminol Works. Retrieved October 7, 2010, from