What causes phosphorescent paint or objects to glow in the...

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Answer by rdp786
Submitted on 10/20/2005
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How Phosphorescent Paints Work: Fluorescent paints are paints that glow only when irradiated by an energy source. A good example is the phosphor lining on the inside of a fluorescent tube. Current flowing through mercury vapor inside the tube creates ultraviolet rays that strike the phosphor. These ultraviolet rays knock the electrons around the phosphor atoms into higher orbits. The electrons immediately fall back down releasing the energy they absorbed from the ultraviolet rays as visible light. Phosphorescent paints function in much the same way, except that once a light ray bumps an electron into a higher or more energetic orbit the electron gets stuck there. It's rather like a ball getting stuck in one of the traps in a pinball machine. It stays put until the plunger underneath the trap pushes it out so it can drop down to the bottom of the table. The temporary entrapment is called a metastable state. In the case of phosphorescent paints, what nudges the electrons out of the energy trough that has them trapped is random thermal fluctuations in the crystal structure of the pigment. This is why phosphorescent paints glow weaker but longer when cold and brighter but shorter when hot. An easy way to demonstrate this is to get some phosphorescent glowing and press it with your thumb for a few seconds. The area under the thumb will be heated and when the thumb is removed, will glow slightly brighter than the surrounding cool area.

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Question by sawdust
Submitted on 2/3/2004
Related FAQ: Comp.os.research: Frequently answered questions [2/3: l/m 13 Aug 1996]
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What causes phosphorescent paint or objects to glow in the dark? And, if there is no light what would cause an object to continue to glow. When I put a phosphorescent object under the pillow for several days and it continues to glow, is that an EMF or stray voltage effect?

Answer by ppkumar
Submitted on 6/29/2004
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Using this paint it is possible to create an night vision seens like sky,galaxy painting, mars painting in ur bed room.

Answer by DIHRAB
Submitted on 10/19/2004
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The electrons in the phosphorescent part of those items store up the light energy and because of their composition and they emit it back more slowly until they return to their original state. I would go as far as to say the reason it last longer under the pillow is that there is nothing exciting the electrons and therefore they would discharge the energy at a slower rate. Of course it could just be the material it is made from as some hold their charge for longer than others.

Answer by Orgasm
Submitted on 3/2/2005
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If you tell me how to masturbate, i will surly help you out. i want to reach the tip of my orgasm even though i am a male. The problem is that i can't find a tight vagina to stick my penis into it so i can release sperm into her. So help me out please

Answer by Mehrizi
Submitted on 11/17/2005
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what is formulation of phosphorescent paint please?

Answer by bickoid
Submitted on 3/15/2006
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I'm usure as to the case of paints, and probably not childrens toys, but i know on watches, a radioactive paint has been used. Phosphorescent objects glow because they are releasing energy in the form of photons. The object needs energy, which is usually gets from light (photons of the visible spectrum) but on some watches, and other things, they mix it with a radio active material (very safe though, very very weak radioactive substance). The substance has a very long life so can ensure the paint on the hands of your watch are lit for years.

Answer by Nal
Submitted on 4/21/2006
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Really, how does it work? I'd like to know for my school project!!

Answer by abner
Submitted on 10/10/2006
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phosphorescent paint glows because of trapped energy in the form of electrons changing states due to energy absorbed by light. The longest lasting glow I have heard of is 12 hours. Other than that, if it's still glowing, I hope you ain't sleeping with your head on the pillow, it's probably radium, a radioactive matieriel that used to be used in clock faces etc. before they found out it gives you cancer. if you sleep with it under your pillow and stuff.

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