Goal: Identify minerals that glow under UV light.
Time: 5–10 minutes
Materials:
UV flashlight (longwave or shortwave)
Mineral samples: calcite, fluorite, willemite, or scheelite
Dark room or cardboard box
Safety goggles
Instructions:
Turn off the lights or go into a dark room.
Shine the UV light onto each mineral sample.
Observe any glowing or color changes.
Explanation:
Some minerals contain trace elements or crystal defects that cause them to emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This glow is called fluorescence. It’s a fun and simple way to discover hidden properties in common minerals!
Goal: Test how different minerals respond to different types of UV light.
Time: 10–15 minutes
Materials:
Longwave (365 nm) and shortwave (254 nm) UV lamps
Fluorescent mineral samples (willemite, calcite, sodalite, fluorite)
White paper or neutral background
Safety goggles (UV-protective)
Instructions:
Place each mineral on the white paper.
Shine the longwave UV light and note the color and intensity of glow.
Then shine shortwave UV on the same sample.
Record differences in reaction under each wavelength.
Explanation:
Different minerals (and even the same mineral from different locations) can fluoresce under specific UV wavelengths. This experiment helps you understand how UV energy interacts with atomic structures and impurities in minerals.
Goal: Investigate how cooling a fluorescent mineral affects its glow.
Time: 30–45 minutes
Materials:
Fluorescent minerals (e.g., fluorite, hackmanite)
Freezer or ice bath
UV light (longwave or shortwave)
Thermometer (optional)
Safety goggles and gloves
Instructions:
Observe your mineral’s fluorescence at room temperature.
Cool the sample in the freezer or ice bath for 15–20 minutes.
Immediately re-test the fluorescence in a dark room with UV light.
Compare glow intensity before and after chilling.
Explanation:
Lowering temperature can reduce atomic vibrations, which allows more UV energy to be converted into visible light. That’s why some minerals fluoresce more brightly when cold. It demonstrates how thermal energy affects electron transitions!