Mechanoluminescence
Mechanoluminescence is a relatively broad term which covers the emission of light from materials due to mechanical forces. One such type of mechanolumienscence known as sonoluminescence (producing light from sound) I’ve already covered. In this post I will be detailing triboluminescence.
Triboluminescence is the term for production of light through the breaking, tearing, scratching or crushing of a solid. It’s not fully understood but the theory goes that when breaking apart, or forming, chemical bonds some of that energy is released in the form of light. The difference here is that no chemical reaction is occuring, simply the breaking of structures through mechanical force.A prime example of this is to get two pieces of quartz or similar crystals, turn off the lights and strike them together (something I used to do under my bed as a child). In fact this very process was used by the Uncompahgre Ute Native Americans of Colorado in ceremonial rattles made of buffalo hide and filled with quartz crystals which generated bursts of light when shaken.
An example less dependent on local geology can also be done by smashing apart Life Saver candies as seen in the above image.
