However, the wintergreen in the Wint-O-Green Lifesavers is a special substance that absorbs ultraviolet energy and transforms it into visual light – aka triboluminescence. This is what creates light.īut can’t I just crush a piece of sugar and see the reaction? The answer is no, but that’s just because the release of energy when regular sugar is crushed is ultraviolet light, which can’t be seen by the naked eye. When sugar is crushed with teeth or pliers, the pieces become negatively and positively charged, making electricity jump through the air between the pieces of sugar. Lightning is an electric stream that excites nitrogen molecules in the air, proving them with extra energy which is released as visual light. You’ve created a little storm in your mouth, that’s right! This actually is more similar to lightning than it is to a sparkler. What did you see? Was it a greenish-blue light? If you didn’t see the spark, repeat the experiment a few more times until you see the spark. Bite down on the Wint-O-Green with your mouth or crush it with a pair of pliers. Place the Wint-O-Green lifesaver between your teeth, make sure you are standing across from your friends or directly across from the mirror.Give your eyes 3-5 minutes to adjust to the dark, you will be able to see the spark better this way.

Keep in mind you will need complete darkness to best see the spark, so if you are outdoors head to an area of your yard with the least light pollution. If you are at home with friends, you can head outside when it’s dark.

Head into your bathroom and stand in front of a mirror.A pair of pliers (use if you are not allowed to crunch on hard candy).While keeping your mouth open, break the lifesaver up with your teeth and look for sparks. Put a Wint-O-Green or a Pep-O-Mint lifesaver in your mouth. Wait a few minutes until your eyes get accustomed to the darkness. A bag of Wint-O-Green Lifesavers (not sugarless) How do you make Lifesavers spark Go to a really dark room and stand in front of the mirror.

Fourth of July and fireworks go hand-in-hand, but you don’t have to attend a fireworks display to see a spark! That’s right, with some simple science, you can create spark (in your mouth!) with some refreshing candy.

Lifesavers spark in the dark