Let's take a closer look at black lights and why they make things glow.īlack lights are made in much the same way that regular incandescent or fluorescent lights are made. What's going on here? Are black lights magic? Nope! They're simple tools that take advantage of science. Whether you've been glow bowling or experienced the glow-in-the-dark effects of a black light at a skating rink or an amusement park funhouse, you know what a cool and eerie sensation it is to see your clothing glow like it's radioactive. This glow is because it contains phosphorus which lights up when exposed to oxygen and UV light.īanana : Another cool thing about black lights is that they can reveal hidden spots on bananas! The natural oils in bananas absorb black light and cause them to glow bright blue.Īs you can see, black lights have a lot of potential for spooky fun! Be sure to stock up on black light paint, fabric, and accessories so you can create some eerie effects of your own.Do you like to roller skate? How about bowling? Did you know that both of those activities can be way more fun if you do them in the dark under a black light? When that happens, you're set for some glow-in-the-dark fun! Urine: With a black light, your urine will glow yellowish green. Teeth: If you're curious about what your teeth look like under black light, a quick trip to the dentist can give you the answer! Dentists use black lights to detect cavities and other dental problems. But when the blood is sprayed with luminol or fluorescence, it gives a blue glow. The hemoglobin in blood absorbs ultraviolet radiation and emits a distinctive black color. The security strip near the edge of a $20 bill shines bright green when exposed to ultraviolet light.īlood: One of the most famous applications for black lights is detecting bloodstains. Money: Believe it or not, some currency (like the US $20 note) contains black light-sensitive materials that will cause it to glow when exposed to black light. Insects: Many insects and spiders fluoresce under black light, including butterflies, dragonflies, and fireflies. Rocks: Certain rocks, like fluorite, calcite, opal, scheelite, and smithsonite, will glow when exposed to black light. In addition to the colors listed above, various other objects also glow when exposed to black light. Other Objects that Glow Under Black Lights In general, any color that does not include fluorescent dyes will look very dark (not glow) under a black light. Water and other transparent substances will also glow under black light, making them perfect for eerie effects like glowing ice or drinks. Orange color glows under black light, but red does not because it doesn't have enough fluorescent additives to make the hue shine brightly. Pink has vibrant shades and special effects like fluorescent light waves that make it glow under black lights! Pink is the perfect color to get you in a playful mood. Neon green cast an eerie light that's hard to look away from! The right yellow will make your room burst with sunshine! Choose from neon or fluorescently-hued paints and fabrics, which have been treated to be even brighter than usual.ĭark greens do not glow, but lighter shades of green will. It's often associated with mystery and magic, making it perfect for spooky parties or haunted houses. Let's look at some of the colors you can see under black lights.Īs mentioned earlier, purple is the most common color to glow under black light. It's always best to check the black-light color chart if you're unsure about what color will glow. Note, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule. White colors usually glow blue, and orange colors shine brighter. At the same time, other objects (like fluorescent materials) emit more visible light when they are "excited" by black light. Things like paper take in most of the black light that shines on them. The ability of an object to glow under black light depends on how it absorbs and emits light. For example, when you see a purple glow under black light, it's because the object is absorbing the ultraviolet radiation and then emitting violet light. This light is invisible to the human eye, but some colors can absorb the radiation and emit visible light. A black-light emits ultraviolet radiation.
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