Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
Safety Warnings
Warning: UV Exposure Hazard
Warning: Chemical Handling
Purpose
Distinguishes fluorescence from phosphorescence using a collection of UV-sensitive objects. All glow under UV light, but only the phosphorescent ones continue glowing when the UV is turned off — directly demonstrating the difference between fast singlet-state decay and slow triplet-state emission.
Figure 1:
The collection of fluorescent and phosphorescent objects under normal room lighting.
Figure 2:
Under UV illumination, all items fluoresce or phosphoresce in vivid colors.
Figure 3:
With the UV source off, only the phosphorescent objects continue to glow — the key diagnostic difference.