Triboluminescence of Ice

Regular water is frozen in an ice cube tray. In a dark room the ice cube tray is twisted to release the cubes. When ice breaks it releases light in a physical process known as triboluminescence. This image was photographed at 409,000 ISO at F1.8 and is the first ever recorded image showing this common effect. To observe this affect for yourself, twist an ice cube tray to release the cubes in a totally black room with your eyes adjusted to the dark for at least 5 minutes. To observe this affect the colder the ice the better when it is broken. This light is emitted from ice when it breaks, but is rarely seen due to the extremely low levels of light produced.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: K16ice-breaking0156.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 3656x2630 / 21.7MB; Ice light break breaking blue blue light light emitting physics optics cracking release
Contained in galleries: science

Regular water is frozen in an ice cube tray. In a dark room the ice cube tray is twisted to release the cubes. When ice breaks it releases light in a physical process known as triboluminescence. This image was photographed at 409,000 ISO at F1.8 and is the first ever recorded image showing this common effect. To observe this affect for yourself, twist an ice cube tray to release the cubes in a totally black room with your eyes adjusted to the dark for at least 5 minutes. To observe this affect the colder the ice the better when it is broken. This light is emitted from ice when it breaks, but is rarely seen due to the extremely low levels of light produced.