Solar Beads

 

Expose Solar Beads to sunlight and watch them change colors. Solar Beads resemble regular white beads under normal light (from a light bulb), but they become a vibrant rainbow of colors in sunlight. Watch them change instantly before your eyes. Fool your friends! Make necklaces, bracelets, anklets, key chains . . . the possibilities are endless.

 

Experiments

1. Expose Solar Beads to sunlight. What happens?
2. Take Solar Beads outside on a cloudy day. What happens?
3. Expose Solar Beads to a regular light bulb. What happens?
4. Expose Solar Beads to different kinds of black lights. What happens?
5. Cover Solar Beads with different strengths of sunscreen. Expose them to sunlight. What happens? Do different strengths of sunscreen result in different colors?
6. Put Solar Beads under water and expose to sunlight. Do the Solar Beads change color?
7. Place your beads under different pairs of sunglasses in the sunlight. Do the beads change colors more or less under different pairs?

 

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light is released by the sun. As shown on the Light Spectrum, UV light is not visible to the human eye. UV light contains more energy than the light that we see (visible light).

 

 

The Light Spectrum

http://cont1.edunet4u.net/cobac2/scientist/image/Light%20Spectrum.jpg

 

Solar Beads contain photochromatic dyes. This means that the molecular shape changes with exposure to UV light. The different shape changes the color.

www.photochromics.co.uk/phototypes.htm

 

Sunlight contains UV light, which is why Solar Beads change colors in the sun. Regular light bulbs do not release UV light, but black lights do. Solar Beads also change colors on cloudy days and in water, which means that UV light goes through clouds and water. That’s why you should wear sunscreen even on cloudy days and while swimming.

 

Other Fun Ideas

• While outside, make a necklace with the beads. Arrange the different colored beads in whatever pattern you choose. The pattern you make will only be visible in sunlight.

 

• Write secret messages with beads that will only be visible in sunlight.

 

Fun Facts

• Solar Beads use the same color-changing technology as transition glasses that transform from regular prescription glasses to tinted sunglasses in sunlight
• Solar beads are also used in toys, cosmetics packaging, security inks and coating, mobile phone covers, ski sportswear, and optical switches
• Solar Beads revert to their original color when taken out of the sun
• Solar beads can change colors over and over again. They never wear out.