Exciting Electrons

Exciting Electrons using CHEMICALS

Chemiluminescence is light created by chemical reactions. You will have seen CHEMILUMINESCENCE in glow-in-the-dark light sticks at funfairs.

Two chemicals are poured together into a flask. The light (chemiluminescence) produced can be seen for up to a minute.

What’s the Chemistry?

The chemical luminol is oxidised (more on this later) by hydrogen peroxide, to produce a molecule in an excited state. When the excited electrons in the molecules fall back to their ground states, light is given out.

Luminol Reaction

Luminol is also used in nature to produce light e.g. fireflies

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What are electrons? - Where are Electrons? - Electrons in Molecules - How big are electrons? - Exciting Electrons using LIGHT - Exciting Electrons using ELECTRICITY - Exciting Electrons using CHEMICALS - Oxidation & Reduction - Oxidation Experiment - Sodium & Water - Reduction Experiment - Potassium Permanganate Volcano - Oxidation experiment - Ammonia - What is Electricity?

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