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As a father to a small child, I have often observed this phenomenon but have until i posted this question not found the vocabulary to Google for it.

Can you explain what I am seeing?

In a darkened room I see a faint light appearing when:

  1. pouring a quantity of urine from a potty into a toilet (I will spare you the image) Update possibly urine chemiluminescence - however I think that is when it gives off light on its own - without being poured

  2. pulling something apart (UPDATE it is called Triboluminescence) that was taped together on purpose such as
    a) the fasteners on a modern diaper
    b) opening a band-aid "envelope" Band-aid (please note that I had not used the word "band-aid" until I was looking for an image to describe what I was pulling)

David Z
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mplungjan
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2 Answers2

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The light from urine is called "spontaneous urinary luminescence", but I'm not sure anyone really knows what causes it. It's thought to be due to organic molecules getting into the urine from the body, and it seems to be enhanced by some medical conditions like muscular dystrophy.

Thanks to anna v for: A link for when it is enhanced.

John Rennie
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...but have not found the vocabulary to Google for it.

I have never heard of the phenomenon before. So I just typed "light band aid" into google and this page on Triboluminescence is the result. The example section on the page mentions your example and others. You seriously need to work on your google-fu.

Nikolaj-K
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