Glow Stick Chemistry

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Glow Stick Chemistry
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Ask the Question

• How does the surrounding temperature of a glow
  stick affect the intensity of the glow?

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Glow stickVariables

• What is the Independent Variable for this
  experiment?
• What is the Dependent Variable for this
  experiment?
• What are the constants?

IV The surrounding temperature of the glow stick.
DV How bright the glow stick is.
Constants Styrofoam cup, thermometer, glow
stick, and amount of time.
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Background Research

• A glow stick is made up of a plastic tube with a
  glass vial in it.
• When you bend the plastic, you break the glass
  vial, allowing the chemicals to mix!

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Background Research

• A compound called Hydrogen Peroxide is inside the
  glass vial.
• Two chemicals are outside the vial Phenyl
  Oxalate Ester and Fluorescent Dye Solution.

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Background Research

• When the compounds mix, a chemical reaction
  occurs.
• This releases energy and causes the fluorescent
  dye to glow (same as a firefly).
• The faster the reaction occurs, the brighter the
  glowstick. When the reaction is over, the
  glowstick stops glowing!
• Temperature affects the reaction. Today we will
  find out how temperature affects how bright a
  glowstick will glow.

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Hypothesis

• Write down your hypothesis on pg. -- of your
  c.b.
• Remember to use an If ------- then -----
  format.

For example If the outside temperature is warm,
then the glowstick will be _______. (brighter?
dimmer?)
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Data Table

• Create a data table under your hypothesis on pg.
  --

Group ____
Styrofoam Cup Temp. (oC) Brightness (3 brightest, 2 second brightest, 1 dimmest)
Control (air)
Hot (hot H2O)
Cold (ice)
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Conduct the Experiment

• Fill Styrofoam cup with 1 cup of (ice OR hot
  water OR air) on the table
• When directed by your teacher, break the glow
  stick and place it in the cup at your desk.
• Measure the temperature in your data chart (for
  your experimental group)
• Once the glow stick is in the cup, do not touch
  it!

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Compare Variables

• When directed to, send your data manager to
  compare your glow stick with two other
  temperature groups in your class and record
  results in your data table.
• Make sure you get their temperature data too!
• If your glow stick is the brightest, write down
  3, if it is the 2nd brightest, write 2, and
  if it is the dimmest, write 1.

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Analyzing Data and Graphing

• When asked to, enter your data in the excel chart
  at the front of the room.
• Choose 3 for the brightest, 2 for the 2nd
  brightest, and 1 for the dimmest.

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Drawing Conclusions

• Use complete sentences to Answer conclusions on
  pg. -- of your c.b.
• CONCLUSION
• Was your hypothesis supported or rejected?
• Explain your answer to question 1 using data.
• How does the surrounding temperature of a glow
  stick affect the intensity of the glow? Use the
  data to support your results.
• What are some human errors that could have
  affected your data?
• EXPLANATION
• How did the research support your results?
• FURTHER QUESTIONS
• What are some further questions?