Question

Have you ever chewed on a wintergreen mint in front of a mirror in the dark? If you have, you may have noticed some sparks of light coming out of your mouth as you chewed on the candy; and, without knowing it, you have experienced a physical phenomenon called triboluminescence. In this problem you will analyze some of the key elements of triboluminescence in wintergreen candies.

Answer 1

Molecules are being excited then fall rapidly which releases energy that may be part of the visible light spectrum.

Explanation:

Triboluminescence occurs when light is seen when an object is torn, broken, torn, ripped, scratched, crushed, or rubbed quickly. It may be because of the separation and realignment of charges.

When wintergreen chewing gum is being consumed the sugar crystals are being broken, rubbed, cracked pushed and pulled apart and then squeezed back together. This causes the molecules to go to a state of high energy then it rapidly falls to a state of low energy.

If the energy emitted is a part of the visible light spectrum then the light can be seen.