Quarky Science · Episode 8

Why This Shirt Glows Blue

Why does a plain white shirt glow bright blue under a party light?

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Your turn!

Question 1 of 2

Ultraviolet light is...

The story

Under the disco light Quarky notices everyone's white shirts glowing an electric blue. The secret is hiding in the laundry soap: tiny brightener molecules soak up invisible ultraviolet light, keep a little of the energy, then hand the rest back as blue light we can see. Quarky learns that these molecules are like energy piggy banks that always give back change in a different color.

What you'll learn

  • Ultraviolet light is invisible to our eyes but carries lots of energy
  • Some molecules absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible light
  • This instant glow is called fluorescence
  • Laundry brighteners use fluorescence to make white clothes look extra white
Quarky🌈 Light & Color⚛️ Quantum Physics Energy

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