======Luminol Chemiluminescence======


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**Alternative titles:** Blue Glow Reaction
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Prepare stock solution A: In a beaker with 100 mL water, dissolve 0.18 g luminol and add 3.0 mL sodium hydroxide solution (1 M).  
  - Prepare stock solution B: In another beaker with 100 mL water, add 1 mL hydrogen peroxide (3%) and 0.03 g potassium ferricyanide.  
  - Set up a funnel with rubber tubing supported by a ring stand and clamps.  
  - Dim the room lights.  
  - Pour equal amounts of solution A and solution B into the funnel simultaneously so they mix in the tubing.  
  - Observe the bright blue glow produced as the solutions mix; the light should last for several minutes.



====Links==== 
How Luminol Works: Chemiluminescence - Chemistry in a Nutshell: 
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Chemiluminescence of luminol - cold light - Royal Society of Chemistry: 
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📄 How to make luminol glow - Carolina Knowledge Center: [[https://knowledge.carolina.com/discipline/physical-science/how-to-make-luminol-glow-glowing-reaction-activity/]]\\


====Variations====
  * Use a long transparent tube to make the glowing solution more visible to a larger audience.  
  * Perform the reaction in a darkened room for maximum effect.  




====Safety Precautions====
  * Safety goggles, gloves, and a lab coat required.  
  * Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer; avoid skin contact.  
  * Sodium hydroxide is caustic and can irritate or burn skin; handle carefully.  
  * Potassium ferricyanide should be handled with care; avoid ingestion and inhalation.  
  * Do not perform the experiment without proper supervision and protective equipment.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the luminol reaction produce light instead of heat? (Because the energy from the chemical reaction is released as photons rather than thermal energy.)  
  * What role does sodium hydroxide play in this reaction? (It provides the alkaline conditions required for luminol to react.)  
  * Why is a catalyst such as potassium ferricyanide needed? (It speeds up the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide.)  
  * How is chemiluminescence different from incandescence? (Chemiluminescence produces light directly from chemical reactions, while incandescence produces light from heat.)