How to Make Your Own Light Sticks
- 1). Cut small 4-by-4 inch squares of construction paper. Label the construction paper with compound names such as 0.4 grams copper sulfate pentahydrate, 4 grams sodium carbonate, 0.2 grams luminol and 0.5 grams ammonium carbonate.
- 2). Measure out the compounds you need and set them onto the construction paper with the correct label. Set the labeled construction paper squares aside.
- 3). Pour 1 liter of distilled water into a mixing bowl. Add 50 milliliters of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to the mixing bowl as well. Set the bowl aside.
- 4). Fill the other mixing bowl with 1 liter of distilled water. Lift the construction paper squares and drop their contents into this mixing bowl. Thoroughly mix the compounds into the liter of water.
- 5). Use a funnel to pour the contents of the first bowl (water and peroxide), into a beaker. Clean the funnel and use it again to pour the contents of the second bowl (water, copper sulfate pentahydrate, sodium carbonate, luminol and ammonium carbonate) into the second beaker.
- 6). Dim the lights in the room enough to enjoy the glow of your creation. Keep the room bright enough to see what you are doing, however.
- 7). Pour the content of both beakers into the third empty beaker simultaneously. The glow should spark up immediately. The light should last for five minutes in open air. Sealing the third beaker airtight will help increase the longevity of your glow stick.
