Why do WintOGreen Lifesavers spark in the dark?

[Zaimat]

Why does this happen? It's called triboluminescence. That's what happens when crystals fracture.

Triboluminescence is the light that is the result of crystals crushing or tearing.

Here's what happens.

Everything around us is made up of atoms like carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen.

The atoms are made up of tiny particles -- electrons, protons and neutrons.

Atoms cluster together in groups called molecules. When you crunch the sugar crystals, electrons break loose and zip around.

Invisible nitrogenmolecules that are in the air can detect an opening where the electrons have broken free, and zoom into that spot.

All this happens very fast. The electrons that broke off the sugar crystals in the first place decide they want to return to the fold, but since the nitrogen molecules are already there, the electrons crash into the nitrogen. They re-combine with a bang.

And that crashing together results in light -- in fact, in ultraviolet radiation. It's totally safe; you can't get a sunburn from this tiny spark. But it is impressive.

Add the fact that this ultraviolet radiation has hit the wintergreen flavouring (which is called methyl salicylate) and you get the bluish tinge to the glow.

You can actually get almost all crystal sugar candy to give you a bit of light when it is crushed.

This was first noticed in Italy in the seventeenth century. But for most crystal candy it is a rather dim light. It takes wintergreen to really light up your life.

It's probably much more scientific than you need to know -- but now you do. The important thing is that it's fun. And it is a good party trick too -- just don't break your teeth!

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Horizon - Lead Designer