A black light is a type of light bulb that emits mostly ultraviolet radiation. Although most bulbs also give off a faint violet glow, the majority of the light is outside the visible range. This energetic radiation excites molecules, often producing fluorescence or phosphorescence. A visible photon is released when a molecule loses the absorbed energy, making the substance appear to glow in the dark.
List of Things That Glow Under a Black Light
- Tonic water (quinine) – glows blue
- Hennessy V.S Limited Edition cognac bottle – bottle glows bright green (liquor does not glow)
- Some vitamins and drugs – B12 glows bright yellow
- Chlorophyll – glows red
- Flying squirrels – bright bubblegum pink (fluorescence is extremely rare in mammals)
- Puffin beaks – bright blue
- Chameleon bones – bright blue, visible through living skin
- Scorpions – glow blue or green
- Glow in the dark paint
- People
- Teeth – usually glow white under black light
- Antifreeze
- Fluorescent minerals – glow various colors
- Many gemstones – including rubies
- About 1/4 of diamonds – glow various colors under black light
- Some body fluids, such as urine and blood
- Fluorescent dyes
- Bank notes – green strips in US currency
- Laundry detergent – glow blue
- Irish Spring soap – green
- Mr. Clean liquid cleaner
- Banana spots
- Some toys
- Most types of fishing line
- Some plastics
- White paper – white or blue-white
- Passports
- Some cosmetics
- Some animals, plants, and fungi (especially marine life) – usually green or blue
- Petroleum jelly (e.g.,Vaseline) – glows blue
- Uranium glass or vaseline glass – glow green, yellow, or blue
- Rock salt
- Fungus that causes Athlete’s Foot – glows orange
- Turmeric (a spice)
- Olive oil
- Canola oil
- Some flowers
- Certain postage stamps
- Highlighter pens – variety of colors
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Cotton balls
- Pipe cleaners – usually glow blue-white, although fluorescent ones can glow other colors
More Things That Glow Under Black Light
