Why Do Some Things Glow in the Dark?

Some things glow in the dark because they store energy from light and release it slowly later. Like when you charge your phone with sunlight, and then it still works at night. If you shine a flashlight on certain materials, like glow-in-the-dark stickers or toys, they absorb the light and keep it inside them for a while. When the light goes away, they slowly give out the stored energy in the form of light, that’s why they glow.

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A glow-in-the-dark sticker continues to shine even when you turn off the lights.
  2. Your favorite night-light toy glows slowly after being illuminated by a flashlight.
  3. Glowing stickers on your bedroom walls light up the room at night.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity