Science Experiment of the Week: Glowing Pumpkins

Q: What did the skeleton order with his drink?
A: A mop.

As Halloween quickly approaches again, we present to you the Science Experiment of the Week: Halloween Edition; Glowing Pumpkins. This experiment is great for people who want their pumpkins to glow in the dark, but do not want to go through the hassle of craving the pumpkin and putting a candle inside. The solution to this problem is glow powder!

Here's the science behind it!

Fluorescence - This type of luminescence occurs when some form of radiation, such as light, causes an object to glow. For example, fluorescent papers and poster boards glow in the daylight. They may seem to glow even brighter under black light (ultraviolet), but in either case, as soon as the light is removed, the glow stops. Fluorescent things do not glow in the dark all by themselves – they require some other form of energy such as ultraviolet light to “excite” them.

Phosphorescence - Phosphorescence is just like fluorescence, except that the glow continues even after the light used to excite it is removed. “Glow in the dark” toys phosphorescence brightly in total darkness after being “charged” or excited by ordinary white or ultraviolet light.

Glow Powder works by absorbing surrounding light energy and then releasing that energy when the lights go out. 

Here are the directions. Adult supervision is advised.

1. If you are using real pumpkins, start by wiping them off with a damp cloth to remove any dirt from the pumpkin patch. Once rinsed, dry the pumpkin thoroughly.
2. Draw the face pieces on the contact paper and cut each piece out. Peel the pieces off the paper backing and arrange them as a face for your pumpkin.
3. Once your jack-o-lantern face is complete, take your pumpkin outside and place it on the drop cloth. If you need to do the experiment indoors, make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area and place the pumpkin in the cardboard box.
4. Spray sections of the pumpkin with the spray adhesive, immediately following with the Glow Powder. For best results, hold the adhesive 10-14 cm (4-6 in) away from the pumpkin and spray a heavy coat. When sprinkling the powder, you may also want to tilt your pumpkin to get it evenly covered.
5. Pour the Glow Powder from its jar into an empty salt shaker. This will make it much easier to sprinkle the powder onto your pumpkin.
   Alternately, you can pour the Glow Powder into an empty portion cup. Cover the top of he portion cup with aluminum foil and hold it in place with a rubber band. Use a thump tack to poke holes in the tin foil... just like a salt shaker!
6. Continue spraying and powdering each section of the pumpkin until the entire pumpkin is completely covered with powder. Carefully shake off any excess powder as you go.
7. Collect the excess Glow Powder and pour it back into the shaker.
8. Repeat steps four and five to ensure that your pumpkin is evenly and completely covered with powder.
9. After the adhesive is completely dry, spray the entire pumpkin with the sealant to make sure that the Glow Powder stays affixed to the pumpkin.
10. After the pumpkin is dry, your spooky Halloween decoration is ready! Carefully pull the contact paper off of the pumpkin.
11. Place the pumpkins next to a black light for an extra bright glow on Halloween.

Check out the wicked video below!!
For more information and experiments check out Steve Spangler's website

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