7B13.05 - Triboluminescence

Cut off two 12" strips of duct tape.  Lightly press two short sections of the duct tape together.  Go into a darkened room and wait 60 seconds for your eyes to adjust.  Pull the duct tape apart and you should see a bluish-white flash of light.
Code Number:
7B13.05
Demo Title:
Triboluminescence
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Resonance Radiation
Area of Study:
Modern Physics
Equipment:
Duct Tape with cloth backing.
Procedure:

Cut off two 12" strips of duct tape.  Lightly press two short sections of the duct tape together.  Go into a darkened room and wait 60 seconds for your eyes to adjust.  Pull the duct tape apart and you should see a bluish-white flash of light.

References:
  • Myra West, "Another "Light" Candy", TPT, Vol. 10, # 8, Nov. 1973, p. 426.
  • J. S. Huebner, "More Friction Than Light", TPT, Vol. 10, # 8, Nov. 1973, p. 426.
  • Dwight Williamson, "An Illuminating Fad?- Certainly!", TPT, Vol. 10, # 8, Nov. 1972, p. 426.
  • Jearl Walker,  "How to Capture on Film the Faint Glow Emitted When Sticky Tape is Peeled Off a Surface",  The Amateur Scientist,  December 1987.
  • Jearl Walker,  "In Which a Lifesaver Lights Up in the Mouth and Light Takes Funny Bounces Through a Lens",  The Amateur Scientist,  July, 1982.
  • Janice VanCleave, "94, Light From Candy?", Teaching the Fun of Physics, p. 141.
  • Jearl Walker, "5.19, Wintergreen Glow in the Closet", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 227.
  • Jearl Walker, "5.17, Glow in Peeling Adhesive Tape", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 226.
  • Linda M. Sweeting, "Scientific Experiments at Home: Wintergreen Candy and Other Triboluminescent Materials",  Towson University.
  • 6.09:  R.D. Edge, "Triboluminescence", String and Sticky Tape Experiments.
  • 6.11:  Jearl Walker, "Scotch Tape Glow", The Flying Circus of Physics with Answers.
  • T. D. Rossing, C. J. Chiaverina, "#12, Triboluminescence", Light Science, Physics and Visual Arts, p. 102.
  • Joey Green, "Duct Tape Lightning", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 2, p. 27.
  • Joey Green, "Exploring Life Savers", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 1, p. 23.
  • Sara Stein, "Charges - Hard Candy Sparks", The Science Book, p. 227.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Flash Candy“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 118.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.