answersLogoWhite

0

Black light is only black because very little of the light the lamp produces is in the visible spectrum. Most is actually ultraviolet (UV) light. The frequency of such light is just a little higher than violet (hence the name ultraviolet).

The human eye cannot detect UV light, so black light is mostly invisible to us (you might see a faint violet glow however).

UV light can cause certain materials to glow due to an effect called Fluorescence. This entails a material absorbing light at a certain frequency (e.g. UV light) and retransmitting it at another frequency, for example visible light. We cannot see UV light but we can see the retransmitted visible light causing the object to glow.

Black light theaters make good use of such materials, but in many countries the paper money also contains fluorescent materials. That is why people working behind the counter in shops will sometimes hold money under a UV lamp; counterfeited money might not have such security features and will thus reveal itself for the fake it is.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Does vinigar glow under a black light?

No, vinegar does not glow under a black light. The glow observed under a black light is typically due to fluorescent substances that react to the ultraviolet light emitted by the black light, which vinegar does not contain.


Does any urine glow under a black light?

there is no kind of urine that will glow under a black light. Urine will glow green under a neon light, yet it is mainly unseeable with the naked eye without a neon light.


Do cats glow under a black light?

No.


Does urine glow under a black light?

Yes, urine can glow under a black light due to the presence of certain compounds such as phosphorus and riboflavin that fluoresce under ultraviolet light.


Does cat urine glow under a black light?

Yes, cat urine can glow under a black light due to the presence of phosphorus in the urine.


Why does cat pee glow under a black light?

Cat urine contains phosphorus, which glows under ultraviolet light, such as a black light. This is why cat pee appears to glow when exposed to a black light.


Do highlighters glow under a black light?

Yes, some highlighters contain fluorescent materials that can glow under a black light due to their ability to absorb and re-emit light at a different wavelength. It is important to note that not all highlighters will glow under a black light.


Why does listerine glow under black light?

flouride


Why does a poster glow under black light?

A poster glows under black light if there is white designs on it. Anything white glows under black light. The reason why is because those things have phosphors on them which can only be detected under black light.


Do pearls glow under a black light?

No, pearls typically do not glow under a black light. The fluorescence of pearls varies depending on the type and quality of the pearl, but they do not usually have the properties to fluoresce under UV light.


What color will gold glow under black light?

Gold typically does not glow under black light as it does not contain materials that fluoresce under ultraviolet light. If any glow is observed, it would likely come from impurities or contaminants in the gold.


Why does ginger ale glow under black lights?

yes it does