Fluorescence: How some materials can glow when absorbing light!

This activity was developed by the Photonic Society Outreach team in collaboration with the  FUSE program to teach students about the process some materials experience  when they glow or "fluoresce" in response to shining different colors of light.  

During this activity, students will learn about the physics of how shining one color of light on a material can cause it to glow a different color. Student will learn from an analogy between light energy and potential energy and from several visual demonstrations. At the end of the discussion, everyone will make mini lava lamps that glow under UV or green light. 

For more information on the activity contact our outreach coordinators