What is Fluorescence?

Ever wonder what makes your t-shirt glow under a black light? Or why the ink of a highlighter seems un-naturally bright? Dr. Brian Wagner, professor of chemistry at the University of Prince Edward Island, explains the science behind fluorescence, and how we see it around us every day.
Learn more about Dr. Wagner and his research at islandscholar....

[@emmybass]

Thank you. We watched a bunch of videos but this one made the most sense. My 9 year old wanted to know.

[@brd8764]

₹flusent

[@bobbercat2250]

I love scientists who can explain things to dummies like me. Keep being awesome, everyone!

[@Destiny_Fvcker]

Thanks so much for brightening up my day!
Rather, for enlightening me!

[@jenm1]

What's the difference between a fluorescent/black light and a UV light?

[@SaiKrishna-ys5rs]

Hi, is it possible to make a calibration curve of fluorescence of turmeric?

[@MegaFunkified]

This is enlightening!

[@cruisemissle87]

Now I happen to remember that "Date my room" show which aired on MTV (rip).

[@Techamooz]

Really practical, but how it happens naturally? the energy emits as a photon in the water as a filter?

[@lamentofhopepodcast]

Does anyone know the substance Professor Wagner poured into the chemical test tube before he inserted the turmeric spice?

[@upei]

Hi there! Dr. Wagner is pouring ethanol in the tube before the turmeric. The turmeric will fluoresce without it, but the ethanol allows the turmeric to fall through the tube more easily than water.

[@sureshkumarprajapati9153]

I still don't understand the difference between something fluorescing and something just being a colour. The explanation as to why both happen seem to be the same? What makes it 'glow' yellow instead of just being yellow in colour?

[@kitsukeita]

Absorb shortwave -> emit longwave : fluorescent
Abosrb shortwave -> emit shortwave : just color

[@bfink757]

One is emitting light and the other is reflecting light. If you turn off your light source, you will not see the object that is yellow. However, the object that is glowing (fluorescing here) is itself a light source.

[@Austin1-0-8]

I have located the correct answer to this question as I have been trying to find it myself. The answer is floresence are special colors that absorb and emit MORE light than conventional colors thus making them bright and vibrant. This is the difference because it uses more light from the uv and lower wavelengths as well It glows. You can find the answer if you google this "why is floresence bright" I don't understand why it is so hard to find such simple answers sometimes, but that is the answer, it is the same process of electrons rising and lowering energy emitting photons, just it absorbes more light which rises more electrons and thus MORE photons get emitted making it brighter. I hope that helps.

[@Haemoglobuli]

​@@kitsukeita
No. If it would be then the colour of the non-fluorescent dye wouldn't be complementary
In fluorescent dyes light is getting absorbed in shorter wl and light of a shorter wl is getting send out by the molecule.
In "normal" dyes, special wavelength getting absorbed by the molecule. The rest of the wavelength shines threw or is getting reflected or whatever. And the colour we see is the complementary colour, cause all the remaining wavelengths which aren't getting absorbed are the combination of the "rest"

[@AaronMai]

Science is awesome!!!!!!!

[@MikeErnesto]

This was a cool video. I love this topic. Btw you look a little like the late Mathew Perry (Chandler from Friends)

[@PeterPete]

Fluorescence is the reflection of visible blue light

[@samirrahman8916]

thankyou this really helped me:-B

[@ROBERTDOWNEYJUNIOR007]

I loved it

[@jabbar_sk_MH23]

nice

[@dtriplett03]

Wow❤🎉SCIENCE

[@sandippaul468]

I thought it was called Fluorescence.

[@AaronMai]

yay!!!!

[@MohitRajput-pj3mu]

😎😎😎

[@yashgamingofficialy]

lol.aaa....

[@oliviapatterson1]

I still don't understand the difference between something fluorescing and something just being a colour. The explanation as to why both happen seem to be the same? What makes it 'glow' yellow instead of just being yellow in colour?

[@helenaferrao6184]

This is also the question that I have. My teacher asked us this question in class and afterwords she said that fluorescent substances emit radiation of a LARGER wavelength (less energetic) than the one that was absorbed, and this happens because while the electron is in the excited state it may lose energy (for example, due to vibration). I'm just trying to understand if this always applies and is the definition of a fluorescent substance but no videos seem to op mention it. I guess that's it

[@Austin1-0-8]

Yup I am also wondering the exact same thing I can't find any information.

[@jenm1]

@@Austin1-0-8 Something having a color is due to the wavelengths that aren't absorbed by the object. Fluorescence is similar but it's more intense because it's caused by short wavelengths exciting electrons in certain molecules or elements and those elements emitting photons when they lose the excited state. The color they emit is based on what molecule or element and the isotope of that element is present.