How do phosphorescent powders work?

Answer 1

There are several ways. One of them is chemoluminescence. This is the method for things like glow sticks and fireflies. In this case, a chemical reaction occurs which emits energy in the form of light. (In fireflies or other living organisms, it's sometimes called bioluminescence, but the underlying principle is the same: a chemical reaction is occuring.) Another possibility is phosphorescence. This is what's going on in most "glow-in-the-dark" paints and toys; you expose it to light for some period of time to "charge it up" and then it slowly releases that light. What's happening here is that the light energy causes electrons in the material to move to higher energy levels, storing the energy for a while until they later drop back down to the ground state and re-emit the light. The third possibility isn't really "in the dark" though it looks like it to us. This is fluorescence; it's similar to phosphorescence, except that the energy is re-emitted almost immediately but at a different wavelength (generally because it doesn't drop straight down to the original energy level, but makes a "stop" at an intermediate energy level in between). If the original light was of a frequency we can't see but the emitted light is of a color in the visible spectrum, then the object will appear to glow in the dark. This is what happens with "black light" paints; the ultraviolet light from the black light is emitted as visible light by the pigments in the paint.

Answer 2

Things glow in the dark as a thermochromic or floresent dye is used. The particles get energy from the light and emit the energy back as light. This light energy is weak so can only be seen in the dark.

Answer 3

That glow comes from photons of light energy that are released from electrons, within the glowing material, as they transition from higher energy levels to lower energy levels.

Answer 4

When light hits chemicals in the substance it retains light. Then when you turn off the light source the substance glows.

Answer 5

I wish I was a glowworm

A glowworm's never glum

Cause how can you be grumpy

When the sun shines out your bum!

Answer 6

It depends on what "stuff" you mean. Phosphorescence, fluorescence, luminescence, and incandescence are all possibilities.

Answer 7

blah, the glow in the dark has absorbed thelight

Answer 8

nn