Thirdly, the UV radiation is absorbed by the wintergreen flavoring molecule - methyl salicylate. This molecule then reemits blue light, which is what you see. The wintergreen lifesavers spark because of a phenomenon that has several names according to the specific conditions in which it is expressed; triboluminescence, mechanoluminescence and fractoluminescence.
Luminescence means light emission, then triboluminescence means light emission from rubbing; mechanoluminescence means light emission from mechanical action; and fractoluminescence is light emission from fracture. The phenomenon of luminescence usually occurs if you supply a lot of energy to atoms, for example by heating them in a flame or by passing electricity through them; they emit light of a color that is characteristic of the kind of atom.
Basically, similar to how fluorescent lights and neon tubes work. So when you bight into Wintergreen Lifesavers, the electrical discharge excites the nitrogen in the air, producing mostly ultraviolet light; which then in turn is absorbed by the methyl salicylate; this then emits light in the visible spectrum, creating a visible flash.
Many artificial flavors in hard candies will induce similar effects creating a flash in the visible spectrum, not just in the ultra-violet range. Other crystals, such as diamonds or salt, will do the same thing with the structure of the crystal being the determining factor on whether or not it will emit light when broken; so basically, whether it is a triboluminescent crystal or not.
Interestingly, in many types of crystals, these sparks are powerful enough to induce combustion. Diamonds are one example of a crystal that will produce visible light. Diamonds will in fact glow while being rubbed very vigioursly, such as while they are being ground or cut, making a red or blue color.
There are even some rocks that emit light when rubbed together using these same principles. The Uncompahgre Ute Indians from central Colorado noticed this phenomenon with quartz crystals.
They would take clear quartz crystals collected from the mountains around Colorado and stick them in a rattle made of Buffalo Hide. When shaken, flashes could be seen through the somewhat translucent buffalo hide. Rubbing two sugar cubes or pieces of quartz or rose quartz in the dark will also work. Scratching quartz with a steel pin may also demonstrate the effect. For the most part, triboluminescence is an interesting effect with few practical applications.
However, understanding its mechanisms may help explain other types of luminescence, including bioluminescence in bacteria and earthquake lights. Triboluminescent coatings could be used in remote sensing applications to signal mechanical failure. One reference states that research is underway to apply triboluminescent flashes to sense automobile crashes and inflate airbags. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. During triboluminescence, excited nitrogen produces ultraviolet light which has a short wavelength, so when you crush the sugar-based candy, the methyl salicylate absorbs the ultraviolet light and creates a better and more visible spectrum, particularly a blue light.
The production of lighting in the sky is similar to concept of triboluminescence, however, on a much higher level.
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