Why does ripping a BAND-AID (or similar bandage) wrapper produce light?

Subject: Why does ripping a BAND-AID (or similar bandage) wrapper produce light?

Date: Tue Jul 25 16:07:46 2000
Posted by Adela J. Dziekanowski
Grade level: teacher/prof School: Montville Township Public School
City: Montville State/Province: NJ Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 964555666.Ph

Message:


This is one of my favorite 8th grade student take-home activities. I use 
it as a question generator, but I am not sure I really understand what is 
happening.  I have been told it is pyroelectricity but also that it is 
static electricity.  You need a bandage that comes in a paper wrapper that 
must be pulled open by the two tabs at one end.  If done in the dark, 
light can be seen.  Why?

Re: Why does ripping a BAND-AID (or similar bandage) wrapper produce light?

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