Triboluminescence

Explanation

Triboluminescence is an optical luminescence that occurs when the chemical bonds in a material are broken by quick actions such as ripping, breaking, or subjecting it to instantaneous shock. The rapid recombination of the bonds ionises the air around the area of shock. This creates flashes of light. One of the popular examples of the phenomenon is the x-ray flashes occurring when an adhesive tape is peeled inside a vacuum chamber.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact cause of triboluminescence?

Triboluminescence is yet to be understood with ongoing studies. But various experiments suggest that this optical phenomenon can be more observed in asymmetric crystals, where the charge separation is easier than in a symmetric lattice. The exact cause, in the end, is the rapid ionization of the air molecules, primarily nitrogen, around the charge separation area.