---
title: "Glowing Secrets: Everyday Materials Revealed Under Black Light"
description: What Materials Glow Under a Black or Ultraviolet Light?
image: https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/UV%20light%20blog.png
---
- [Home](https://aramsco.com)
- [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com)
[](https://www.aramsco.com/)
- [Home](https://aramsco.com)
- [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com)
- Account
- [locations](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/locations/)
- [education](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/education/)
- [about us](http://aramsco-live.epicorcommerce.com/aboutus/)
# Pro's Corner
## [Glowing Secrets: Everyday Materials Revealed Under Black Light](https://blog.aramsco.com/unlocking-the-secrets-of-ultraviolet-light-properties-and-applications-of-uv-a-uv-b-and-uv-c)
Posted by Tom Forsythe on Jun 27th 2023
Short wavelength UV light exhibits more quantum properties than its visible and infrared counterparts. Ultraviolet light is arbitrarily broken down into three bands, according to its anecdotal effects.
UV-A is the least harmful and most commonly found type of UV light, because it has the least energy. UV-A light is often called black light, and is used for its relative harmlessness and its ability to cause fluorescent materials to emit visible light - thus appearing to glow in the dark. Most phototherapy and tanning booths use UV-A lamps.
UV-B is typically the most destructive form of UV light, because it has enough energy to damage biological tissues, yet not quite enough to be completely absorbed by the atmosphere. UV-B is known to cause skin cancer. Since most of the extraterrestrial UV-B light is blocked by the atmosphere, a small change in the ozone layer could dramatically increase the danger of skin cancer.
Short wavelength UV-C is almost completely absorbed in air within a few hundred meters. When UV-C photons collide with oxygen atoms, the energy exchange causes the formation of ozone. UV-C is almost never observed in nature, since it is absorbed so quickly. Germicidal UV-C lamps are often used to purify air and water, because of their ability to kill bacteria.
Question: What Materials Glow Under a [Black or Ultraviolet Light?](https://www.aramsco.com/hydro-force-uv-light-3x3w.html)
# From Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.,
ANSWER: There are a lot of everyday materials that fluoresce, or glow, when placed under a black light. A black light gives off highly energetic ultraviolet light. You can't see this part of the spectrum, which is how 'black lights' got their name. Fluorescent substances absorb the ultraviolet light and then re-emit it almost instantaneously. Some energy gets lost in the process, so the emitted light has a longer wavelength than the absorbed radiation, which makes this light visible and causes the material to appear to 'glow'.
Fluorescent molecules tend to have rigid structures and delocalized electrons. Examples of common materials that contain fluorescent molecules include:
- **Club Soda or Tonic Water**
The bitter flavoring of tonic water is due to the presence of quinine, which glows blue-white when placed under a black light.
- **Body Fluids**
Many body fluids contain fluorescent molecules. Forensic scientists use ultraviolet lights at crime scenes to find blood, urine, or semen (all fluorescent).
- **Vitamins**
Vitamin A and the B vitamins thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin are strongly fluorescent. Try crushing a vitamin B-12 tablet and dissolving it in vinegar. The solution will glow bright yellow under under a black light.
- **Antifreeze**
Manufacturers purposedly include fluorescent additives in antifreeze fluid so that black lights can be used to find antifreeze splashes to help invesitagors reconstruct automobile accident scenes.
- **Laundry Detergents**
Some of the whiteners in detergent work by making your clothing a bit fluorescent. Even though clothing is rinsed after washing, residues on white clothing cause it to glow bluish-white under a black light. Blueing agents and softening agents often contain fluorescent dyes, too. The presence of these molecules sometimes causes white clothing to appear blue in photographs.
"Ultraviolet light" generally refers to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the range of 10 to 400 nanometers. This is subdivided into:
- UV-A = 315 to 400 nM.
345 to 400 nM = used for "Black light" effects.
315 to 345 nM = are used for suntanning (some sun lamps also generate UV-B)
- UV-B = 280 to 315 nanometers. Hazardous! Largely responsible for sunburn.
- UV-C = 200 to 280 nM. Dangerous! Used to kill germs.
- Vacuum Ultraviolet - 10 to 200 nM.
- The peak absorption wavelengths are 325, 365 and 405 nanometers. Our spectronics light is 365 nanometers and the vector 7 flashlight is 405 nanometers. The spectronic light is availabe in two bulbs: concentrated spot and broadbeam spot. The Vector 7 is a concentrated spot while the U-View light is a broadbeam spot.
-Scott Warrington
[carpet cleaning](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-cleaning)
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
[**BLOG HOME**](https://blog.aramsco.com/)
**Where the professionals go to learn about:**
- lead and asbestos abatement
- professional cleaning
- mold, fire, and water restoration
- concrete surface preparation
- business management
### Subscribe to Blog
Search Search Google
### Recent Posts
### Posts by Topic
- [Business (41)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/business)
- [Aramsco Clean (35)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-clean)
- [Aramsco Restore (28)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-restore)
- [carpet cleaning (27)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-cleaning)
- [Chemistry (19)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/chemistry)
- [Rugs (14)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/rugs)
- [Carpet (12)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet)
- [Aramsco Surface (11)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-surface)
- [target marketing (11)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/target-marketing)
- [Concrete (10)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/concrete)
- [Education (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/education)
- [deodorization (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/deodorization)
- [special agents (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/special-agents)
- [upholstery cleaning (9)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/upholstery-cleaning)
- [Carpet Presprays (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-presprays)
- [Tile & Grout (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/tile-grout)
- [customer service (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-service)
- [encapsulation (8)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/encapsulation)
- [COVID-19 (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/covid-19)
- [Spotting (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/spotting)
- [Stain Removal (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/stain-removal)
- [Surface Preparation (6)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/surface-preparation)
- [Business Finance (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/business-finance)
- [Customer communication and storytelling (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-communication-and-storytelling)
- [Grow your business (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/grow-your-business)
- [carpet protector (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-protector)
- [Equipment (4)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/equipment)
- [Flooring (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/flooring)
- [concrete surface preparation (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/concrete-surface-preparation)
- [sales (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/sales)
- [IICRC Classes (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/iicrc-classes)
- [Restoration (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/restoration)
- [Targeted Marketing (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/targeted-marketing)
- [Trauma Cleaning (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/trauma-cleaning)
- [Truckmount (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/truckmount)
- [carpet coloring (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/carpet-coloring)
- [Aramsco Service (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/aramsco-service)
- [Customer Acquisition (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/customer-acquisition)
- [fiber identification (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/fiber-identification)
- [news releases (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/news-releases)
- [portables (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/tag/portables)
See all
### Blog Archive
- [Tom Forsythe (130)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/tom-forsythe)
- [Drew Crawford (50)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/drew-crawford)
- [Aramsco Technical Staff (26)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/aramsco-technical-staff)
- [Scott Warrington (18)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/scott-warrington)
- [Jared Twitchell (15)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/jared-twitchell)
- [Alex Morrill (12)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/alex-morrill)
- [Steve Johnson (7)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/steve-johnson)
- [Angela Buckendorf (5)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/angela-buckendorf)
- [Rachel Adams (4)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/rachel-adams)
- [Ron Colling (3)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/ron-colling)
- [Seth Gifford (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/seth-gifford)
- [Nancy Macdonald (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/nancy-macdonald)
- [Gregg Sargent (2)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/gregg-sargent)
- [Angela Buckendorf & Drew Crawford (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/angela-buckendorf-drew-crawford)
- [Savaana Sihapanya (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/savaana-sihapanya)
- [Dane Gregory (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/dane-gregory)
- [Sandra Hummel (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/sandra-hummel)
- [Luke Draeger (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/luke-draeger)
- [Doyle Bloss (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/doyle-bloss)
- [Tim Schaelling (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/tim-schaelling)
- [Lucas Whitmer (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/lucas-whitmer)
- [Schyler Lewis (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/schyler-lewis)
- [Drew Crawford & Alex Morrill (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/drew-crawford-alex-morrill)
- [Michelle Smith (1)](https://blog.aramsco.com/author/michelle-smith)
See all
#### Current Promotions
Great deals on abatement, safety, surface preparation, and carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals!
[Click to Save](https://aramsco.com/on-sale.html)
#### Online Catalog
All the restoration, safety, cleaning and surface preparation products you need in glossy, digital print.
[See Products](https://cx.aramsco.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.1.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670)
#### Nexus Conference
Updates on the industry's top conference. Demos, Education, Networking,
and Fun!
[Learn More](https://nexus.aramsco.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.1.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670)
- Shop By Categories
- [Air Scrubbers](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/negative-air-air-scrubbers.html)
- [Carpet Cleaning Chemicals](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/cleaning.html)
- [Cleaning Equipment](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/cleaning-equipment.html)
- [Cleaning Tools](https://www.aramsco.com/tools-supplies/cleaning-tools-supplies.html)
- [Concrete Grinding](https://aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/grinders-polishers.html)
- [Disinfectants & Antimicrobials](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/disinfectants-antimicrobials.html)
- [Drying Equipment](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/drying.html)
- [Floor Scrapers](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/scrapers.html)
- [Mastic Removers](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/adhesive-coating-removers.html)
- [Odor Neutralizers](https://www.aramsco.com/chemicals/odor-control.html)
- [Poly Sheeting](https://www.aramsco.com/plastics-adhesives/poly-sheeting.html)
- [Respirators](https://www.aramsco.com/safety-ppe/respirators-respiratory-protection.html)
- [Shot Blasting](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/shot-abrasive-blasting.html)
- [Thermal Imaging](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/meters-testing/infrared-temperature.html)
- [Vacuums](https://www.aramsco.com/equipment-instruments/vacuums.html)
- Resources
- [Pro's Corner](https://blog.aramsco.com)
- [Classifieds](https://classifieds.aramsco.com/)
- [Monthly Ad](https://cx.aramsco.com/)
- [Education Schedule](https://www.cvent.com/c/calendar/ab53c6cb-fee0-44a6-a384-c51a2a4b32c0)
- [Equipment Financing](https://aztecfinancial.com/)
- [Equipment Rental](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs)
- [Equipment Repair](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs)
- [Site Map](https://www.aramsco.com/training-rentals-repairs)
- Company Info
- [About Us](https://www.aramsco.com/aboutus)
- [Careers](https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=aramsco&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US)
- [Contact Us](https://www.aramsco.com/contact)
- [News](https://www.aramsco.com/news)
- OUR BRANDS
- [Aztec Financial](https://aztecfinancial.com/)
- [NSS](https://nssusa.com/)
- [Safety Express](http://safetyexpress.com/?__hstc=88961988.ca7266f9997610aee14ebd89f4f37653.1557724048361.1557724048361.1557730574295.2&__hssc=88961988.2.1557730574295&__hsfp=35742670)
- Policies
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/privacy-policy)
- [Return Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions#returns)
- [Shipping Policy](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions#shipping)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://www.aramsco.com/terms-conditions)
- Corporate Location
- Find a location Near You
- [Location image](https://www.aramsco.com/locations)
Corporate Location
- Aramsco, Inc.
Five Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road Suite 510
Radnor, PA 19087
- (800) 767-6933
- customer.service@aramsco.com
Copyright © 2025 Aramsco. All rights reserved.
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Tom Forsythe",
"url" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/author/tom-forsythe"
},
"dateModified" : "2023-06-29T13:09:29.023Z",
"datePublished" : "2023-06-27T19:24:05.000Z",
"headline" : "Glowing Secrets: Everyday Materials Revealed Under Black Light",
"image" : [ "https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/UV%20light%20blog.png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/unlocking-the-secrets-of-ultraviolet-light-properties-and-applications-of-uv-a-uv-b-and-uv-c",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.aramsco.com/hubfs/Logos/Aramsco%20R%20Family%20-%20Equipped%20for%20Success.png"
},
"name" : "Aramsco"
}
}
```