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Chemical Flashlight
Our two solutions (luminol, deionized water, and sodium hydroxide in one and hydrogen
peroxide, deionized water, and potassium ferricyanide in the other) are poured into a funnel
leading to clear plastic tubing spiraling down around a ring stand with the end of the tubing
leading to a container which the fluid drains into. The chemicals, when poured into the funnel,
combine and mix evenly via the tubing to create a luminescent blue solution.
The energy conversion design is based upon the scientific principle known as
“Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation,” which states that: “every particle attracts every other
particle in the universe with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.”
Our steps of energy transfer are as follows:
1. Mix together two different solutions, creating chemical potential energy
2. Combine two solutions in funnel, which is an example of potential energy to kinetic
energy through the gravitational force
3. As the solution mixes, it releases light, showing the process of chemical potential energy
to kinetic, as well as light energy.
Violet 380-450 nm
Blue 450-485 nm
Cyan 485-500 nm
Green 500-565 nm
Yellow 565-590 nm
Orange 590-625 nm
Red 625-740 nm
10℃ 6:03.32
20℃ 3:28.84
25℃ 3:04.72
Our light color was a light blue, so we considered it between cyan and blue, so about 480
nm long. E=hv, where E is the amount of energy, h is Planck’s constant (6.63 x E-34 J s), and v
is the frequency of radiation. To use calculate E, we first used the equation λ=c/ν, where λ is the
.87e23 Hz. We then
wavelength and c is the speed of light. From this, we calculated that v is 1
calculated that the amount of energy our project gives off as 4.13843e-19 Joules per photon.
As solution 2 is added to solution one, the solution enters an excited state. This means the
solution enters an electron level higher than normal, making it unstable. The solution will try to
go down to its original level, so it releases electrons until it is stable. This decay releases light
and carbon, and is the reason our solutions glow.
Our project is a way to use chemicals to create light. It can be changed from brighter to a
longer lasting light source. Although it isn’t a great source in pitch black, it is a great way to
make a boring night to a crazylight party. The colors can be changed with different dyes, so it
has potential to be a very fun way to show science. The device itself has a very fun effect to
show gravity and the releasing of electrons.