Hooked on science: A dark room and a spark in the mouth

Shoot sparks from your mouth by biting down on Wint-O-Green LifeSavers. It's another experiment that might get you and your family "Hooked on Science."

You need

* A mirror

* Wint-O-Green LifeSavers

Instructions

STEP 1: Go into a dark room and let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

STEP 2: Place a Wint-O-Green LifeSaver in your mouth.

STEP 3: Hold the mirror in front of your face and, with your mouth open, chomp down on the Wint-O-Green LifeSaver.

CAUTION: Please be careful not to swallow the candy. Make sure an adult is present when doing this experiment or any "Hooked on Science" experiment.

Explanation

The light produced is called triboluminescence. Triboluminescence occurred when you smashed the Wint-O-Green LifeSavers with your teeth.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator for the Bootheel Youth Museum. Check out his Web site "Hooked On Science" at hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@bootheelyouthmuseum.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.