How to Make Clear Quartz Light Up With Friction

Quartz is a beautiful and interesting mineral.

Triboluminescence is light created by friction. Many different substances can be used to create this effect, including household sucrose, adhesive tapes and many minerals. Quartz is a popular mineral to use in a science class experiment because of its reliability as a light source. When you rub two pieces of quartz together, the energy is transferred to the atoms. The electrons in the atoms absorb the energy and enter the excited state. When they return to the ground state, the energy is released as light.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of clear quartz
• Metal pin (optional)

Instructions

1. Select two pieces of clear quartz roughly the same size with flat sides. Darken the room.

2. Rub the two flat sides of the quartz crystals together vigorously, applying pressure as you rub. A glowing light should begin to emit from between the two crystals.

3. Banging the crystals together will create sparks. Rubbing a crystal with a metal pin is another way to make sparks appear.

References

• Primative Ways: Crystal Light!
• Rock Hounding Arkansas: Experiments with Rocks and Minerals