Triboluminescence of Beach Sand

Beach sand is placed in a blender to show the property of triboluminescence. As the silica grains of sand are broken in the blender they give off blue light which in turn causes the sea shell fregments to glow yellow. Triboluminescence is an optical phenomenon in which light is generated when asymmetrical crystalline bonds in a material are broken when that material is scratched, crushed, or rubbed.

Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: K16glowsand0182.jpg
Copyright: Ted Kinsman / Science Source Inc.
Image Size: 2624x3891 / 11.5MB; sand beach beach sand light optics optical crystal crystalline bond triboluminescence fractoluminescence material science phenomenon scientific demonstration physics blender glow
Contained in galleries: science

Beach sand is placed in a blender to show the property of triboluminescence. As the silica grains of sand are broken in the blender they give off blue light which in turn causes the sea shell fregments to glow yellow. Triboluminescence is an optical phenomenon in which light is generated when asymmetrical crystalline bonds in a material are broken when that material is scratched, crushed, or rubbed.