A glow stick is a plastic tube that contains two separate liquids. When the liquids are mixed, they glow. The diagrams show the process that causes a glow stick to emit light.

Question

Based on the diagrams, what energy transformations occur when using a glow stick?

A.
Chemical energy cracks the inner tube, which starts a reaction that transforms thermal energy into light energy.

B.
Thermal energy cracks the inner tube, which starts a reaction that transforms potential energy into light energy.

C.
Mechanical energy cracks the inner tube, which starts a reaction that transforms chemical energy into light energy.

D.
Potential energy cracks the inner tube, which starts a reaction that transforms mechanical energy into light energy.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

C. Mechanical energy cracks the inner tube, which starts a reaction that transforms chemical energy into light energy.

When you bend a glow stick, you apply mechanical energy to crack the inner tube and mix the two chemicals. This mixing initiates a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of light, thus transforming chemical energy into light energy.