Summary Investigate different ways that light can be made from chemical reactions Science content Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules (3-7) Chemistry: Chemical Changes (2, 7) Physics: Light and Sound (1) Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5) Activities in this lesson Candle chemistry (wax combustion) Glow stick chemistry Luminescent candy Fluorescent toys Procedure Introduce chemistry if necessary. Chemistry can make light. Candle activity: light and heat from a chemical reaction. Move to a dark area e.g. behind the curtains on the stage. Introduce activities: Some chemistry can make light but no heat. Called luminescence. A molecule is given extra energy, which it lets go of again by giving out light. It can be given the energy in different ways: a chemical reaction, from outside light, or from pressure. The three stations show three kinds of luminescence. Stations to rotate through: glow sticks (chemiluminescence), luminescent candy (triboluminescence) and fluorescent pens/toys (fluoresence). Added shadows activity for Halloween Light Science. Notes Good for Halloween science. Add a sparkler at the end, and ask students which of the above chemical reactions it is most similar to (candle burning producing light and heat). Grades taught Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5
