chemiluminescence
Chemistry produces light
Chemiluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction rather than by heat.
Glow sticks work this way—bending them breaks an internal vial, mixing chemicals that emit light.
Fireflies produce bioluminescence, a form of chemiluminescence occurring in living organisms.
The phenomenon has applications in forensics, where luminol reveals blood traces invisible to the naked eye.
Cell's energy molecule
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
excited state · assay · detection · bioassay · analyte · peroxidase · glow stick · reporter
Steady, soft light
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
wavelength · spectrum · intensity · blue-green · flash · steady glow · visible light · afterglow
Of ocean depths
- anglerfishBioluminescent deep-sea predator
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
- fireflyBioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- marineRelating to the sea
bacteria · jellyfish · squid · mating · communication · predation · lure · nocturnal
ATP
Cell's energy molecule
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- catalysisAccelerating reactions without consumption
enzyme · excited state · assay · detection · bioassay · analyte · peroxidase · glow stick · reporter
glow
Steady, soft light
- fluorescenceLight emitted after absorption
- phosphorescenceHeatless delayed light emission
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
radiance · wavelength · spectrum · intensity · blue-green · flash · steady glow · visible light · afterglow · brightness
deep-sea
Of ocean depths
- anglerfishBioluminescent deep-sea predator
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
- fireflyBioluminescent nocturnal beetle
marine · bacteria · jellyfish · squid · mating · communication · predation · lure · nocturnal · adaptation
- science experimentsvolcano model, elephant toothpaste, color change, slime making, baking soda volcano
- luminescencefluorescence, phosphorescence, photoluminescence, electroluminescence, glow
- photochemistrylight absorption, photon, photons, fluorescence, phosphorescence
- nitrogen testing
- imagingdigital imaging, medical imaging, camera, digital camera, MRI
- diagnosticsCT scan, rapid test, blood test, physical exam, antigen test
chemiluminescenceincandescence
Light from heated objects
thermal radiation · thermoluminescence · electroluminescence · photoluminescence · fluorescence