Hypothesis
The light from a glow stick will extinguish more quickly at higher temperatures.
Overview
Glow stick
Glow sticks are plastic tubes containing chemicals that produce a temporary glow of light when they are mixed together. This process is called chemiluminescence, where light is produced by a chemical reaction without an electrical source.
The chemicals used in the glow stick consist of a fluorescent dye with diphenyl oxalate and hydrogen peroxide. Mixing the chemicals causes a reaction which produces peroxyacid ester and phenol. The decomposition of the peroxyacid ester into carbon dioxide releases energy that excites the atoms in the fluorescent dye, causing it to release particles of light called photons.
Glow sticks are constructed of 2 internal containers which separate the chemicals. A small and fragile container is encased in a larger and more flexible outer container. When the plastic stick is bent, the fragile wall of the smaller container breaks and the 2 chemicals mix, producing light which makes the stick glow.
Glow sticks are popularly used during parties, night parades, concerts and festivals. Glow sticks are also useful in places that do not have a power source and they are regularly used by campers, divers and military personal. Another application for glow sticks is in places that have been struck by disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes or tornadoes. These places pose the danger of gas leaks and since glow sticks do not produce sparks, they are safe to use in such situations.
Scientific Terms
Chemiluminescence, diphenyl oxalate ester, hydrogen peroxide, phenol, peroxyacid ester, photons
Conclusion
The hypothesis that light from a glow stick will extinguish faster at higher temperatures is correct.
Glow sticks are very popular with children at all sorts of festive events and parties. Spectators carry them duringparades to add to the festive atmosphere. However, the plastic tubes/containers need to be disposed properly after use because the chemicals within the glow sticks are toxic. Contact with skin must be avoided.
Also consider
Try to repeat the science fair project using different colored glow sticks and compare their glow time.
The experiment can also be done to compare results produced by different sized and shapes of glow sticks.
References
Glow stick - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glow_stick
How light sticks work - http://science.howstuffworks.com/light-stick.htm
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Glow in the dark mountain dew - http://chemistry.about.com/b/2008/03/03/glow-in-the-dark-mountain-dew-2.htm
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