what makes glow sticks glow

Glow sticks contain two chemicals, a base catalyst, and a suitable dye (sensitizer, or fluorophor) . The chemicals inside the glow stick create an exergonic reaction, which means that it releases energy in the form of light. The two chemicals are hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl alcohol. When mixed together, these liquids create the glow. The reaction between the two chemicals is catalyzed by a base, usually sodium salicylate. The glow stick consists of a tiny, brittle container within a flexible outer container. Each container holds a different solution. When the outer container is flexed, the inner container breaks, allowing the solutions to combine, causing the necessary chemical reaction. After breaking, the tube is shaken to thoroughly mix the components. By adjusting the concentrations of the two chemicals and the base, manufacturers can produce glow sticks that glow either brightly for a short amount of time or more dimly for an extended length of time.