Fantastic Fluorescence!

Ions of uranium, europium, neodymium, terbium and lots of other stuff can fluoresce.
In this video I show a lot of them and also try to explain in simple terms how it works.
Full music credit:
Kevin MacLeod
www.incompetech.com
All under CC license.
Tracks used:
0:30 - 0:50
3:03 - 3:43
4:59 - 5:15
'Darkness is Coming'
ISRC: USUAN1100584
1:53 - 2:08
'Night Cave'
ISRC: USUAN1100446
4:30 - 4:58
'Bathed in the Light'
ISRC: USUAN1100308
Bonus info:
I use a generic 18 watt longwave UV-blacklight in this video - not the dangerous shortwave UV even though it could give even better results.
Lots of the stuff can be bought on eBay, like
Onyx Metall myworld.ebay.co...
The little test tube with quinine in the beginning is a sample of tonic water that I tried to boil down to concentrate the quinine more. It didn't work out well - lots of sugar in the drink so it just turns into a brown syrup and doesn't really fluoresce more.
Be careful with most of the stuff in the video. Always search for the MSDS for a chemical before you buy it. Especially Rhodamine B is dangerous and can ruin your eyes - wear safety glasses and gloves or even better: stay away from it.
The radioactive minerals also needs to be treated with respect.
It is often the outer most electrons that can be excited - the valence electrons. In the rare earth metals it can happen with inner electrons though - like in neodymium.
All the europium samples are europium oxide.
I believe the LEGO pieces are not only fluorescent but also so-called LISA plastic. LISA is short for 'licht-sammeln' which is German for 'light-gathering'. It is plastic with high internal reflection so the light is transmitted inside the plastic and send out of the edges - like optical fiber cables. But LEGO likes to keep their secrets so it's just my guess. Almost all transparent LEGOs are made of polycarbonate - which LISA plastic also can be. Normal LEGO is made of ABS.

[@brainiac75]

Thanks! I'm not educated in science too but have always been very interested in science and studied books, internet etc. for myself. Part of my channels purpose is to show that you can be amazed by science at home without being a hardcore professor. Really nice to hear that it is well received :)

[@brainiac75]

The shown uranium glass is very low in activity (not like the Fiesta Ware glazed pottery that is quite hot but still considered low activity - watch my video 'Radioactivity - my collection so far'). Is it safe? Not as safe as non-radioactive glass but the risk is extremely low - some would say it is safe. I don't use it for food though because I have non-radioactive glasses and get enough dose from my radioactive collection :) Thanks for watching!

[@caiodollis6159]

I love the fact that when you show the terbium and europium fluorescence, I'm actually seeing this fluorescence with naked eyes without being there

[@thespaceunicorn6180]

Those ending samples are absolutely stunning!

[@brainiac75]

Mostly on eBay. There's a link in the description for an eBay-shop with great prices on the more rare stuff (based in Poland with international shipping). Let me know if there's something you are particular interested in. I can message links for most of the stuff - but you should be able to find it all on eBay :)

[@brainiac75]

Yes, the two rocks glows an amazingly bright green because of uranium ions (uranyl UO2 2+). Just like in the uranium glass - the rocks just have much higher concentration of uranium than the glass and they are therefore quite radioactive :)

[@apodis4900]

That speck of fluorescein spiralling down the flask was awesome. 0:34 😀

[@brainiac75]

Thank you :) I'm not surprised that Kevin MacLeod's music is being used in games too. He's the best source for royalty-free music I know off (and I have been through a lot...).

[@zUltra3D]

Cool video! Never seen Uranium glass glow and never thought that tonic water glows in blue!

[@sharadchitlangia9422]

This video is just amazing. Hats off Mr. Brainiac. Your channel is one of my favourites on KZbin. The best!

[@brainiac75]

Thank you very much, Sharad. Many more and even better videos to come in the future :)

[@Dreamskater100]

Like your voice-over and crystals illuminating @ 4.32. 'Mother nature knows how to disco'!!!

[@dhansmeyer64]

I learn something from each of your videos. I like the way you break things down and put them across so someone such as I, who does not have a scientific education, can learn from them. I enjoy them very much and as someone else said, two thumbs up way up.

[@brainiac75]

Magnet and LEGO :) Thanks for watching!

[@brainiac75]

The tiny sphere is a neodymium magnet. The big one is just a 2" chrome-steel ball bearing. I bought the 2" ball bearing in a set from grand-illusions'com but they are also available on eBay. The circular motion is caused by two other magnets and some LEGO under the surface. Took me half a day to get it right for a few seconds in the video...

[@FierensM]

"mother nature knows how to disco" Genius!

[@1004bjorn]

gimme dat nuka cola quantum

[@old-bitprogaming4857]

1004bjorn lol it seems to get smaller, atomic > cuantum > how about plank NUKACOLA PLANK

[@sierra991]

just about to comment that

[@avi8aviate]

Me when finding one of them in Fallout 4.

[@1stFaris]

4:30 That is just AMAZING! Are those rocks radioactive?

[@kenstr321]

Yeah, I know a few girls that don't leave the house due to "vibrational relaxation".

[@apelican9669]

kenstr321 Noice

[@brainiac75]

Yes, the Bionicle series has fluorescent pieces. I admit that LEGO is quite expensive in recommended retail price but almost every year a big supermarket chain in Denmark has 40% off on all sets... Hope they have it again this year :)

[@Lightningchase1973]

With the weaker fluorescense of some samples, you also see the pale blue/white fluorescense of skin, done by aromatic ring containing amino acids in the collagens of the skin. (other colors are possible and indicate diseases). So even we do glow in blacklight.

[@NotbobStarkiller]

I had KSP running in the background at a low volume and became really confused at 4:33, as to why the game music had suddenly become much louder. I love these videos, you should definitely make one on phosphorescence!

[@brainiac75]

I actually don't know - I'm not good at insects. It was not a cockroach though. Maybe a caddisfly or a little moth. No hard shell, just soft wings like a moth. It liked the ultraviolet light a lot :)

[@m4ini]

Is the music at the end the same music you hear in kerbal space program when you make it to space? ^^

[@brainiac75]

+m4ini It could be. All music is royalty-free downloads from Kevin MacLeods website, incompetech.com. Anyone, including game programmers, can use his music. Full music credit in the description box. And thanks for watching :)

[@m4ini]

+brainiac75 Yup, that's the guy. KSP music in science videos = perfect ;)

[@vlogealtraroba....2216]

Yes it is!!!

[@ender_scythe2879]

+m4ini yes, it is. dreamy flashback and frost waltz, both by kevin macleod are also in KSP.

[@DurpBox]

WHY IS KZbin SO SHIT NOW WHEN THERE'S THESE AWESOME VIDEOS TO WATCH

[@XANApwns]

I came here from your latest video and even though I've seen this one before, I just now noticed the bug that came in to check out what you were doing at 4:55

[@zachell1991]

Another interesting natural fluorescence rock is fluorite it glows a nice purple. You have great video's. very interesting to learn about how Fluorescence works. i have liked Fluorescence/black lights for a long time.

[@brainiac75]

Thanks :) No, I don't believe in anything providing more energy than it uses. The law of conservation of energy also applies to magnets and makes sense to me the more I learn about it - it's pure logic in my mind. It's a popular scam though selling overunity plans because magnets are hard to understand and their force (not energy) seems mysterious although very well understood (compared to eg. gravity which still teases even the best minds). I would really like to be proven wrong though :)

[@SuperRiki81]

As a sound designer: your voice overs are of a pretty high standard.

[@brainiac75]

Thanks! I do put a lot of hours into getting the voiceovers right. They have turned into being a very important part of my videos (my early videos were with text instead of voiceovers...).

[@SuperRiki81]

+Brainiac75 What is your mic/preamp (compressor?) setup?

[@brainiac75]

SuperRiki81 Well, being an amateur I only have a cheap USB condenser microphone (img Stage Line ECM-140USB). Very similar to the AT2020 I believe. But I use software to clean up the recordings (including prerecording the room-tone/noise floor and use spectral subtraction based on this noise recording). I don't use compressors. They tend to make voiceovers more unnatural in my mind. I just manually adjust the volume up to an audible level in low parts of the recordings. Time-consuming but gives a good result.

[@hiimmayonnaisethevendingma2145]

when i saw the bionicle pieces in the beginning of the video i was so excited.

[@DasIllu]

4:30 - 4:58 'Bathed in the Light' you know... Kerbal Space Program... did you try? if not give it a shot. I think this is what your brain craves for :-D

[@brainiac75]

I've actually watched videos with the game. Looks really interesting - and a nice choice of music in the game ;)

[@Muonium1]

4:00 well....probably not so much anymore today unless you're still rolling with a super old school CRT instead of an lcd monitor . ^_^ love the channel. if you do phosphorescence, don't forget to take some video of phosphors being forced out of their metastable excited state with red or even infrared light. i think that is such a cool effect.

[@AlanKey86]

This is fantastic - thanks for sending me a PM with the link Brainiac!

[@orcgoddessspike]

Good stuff....and I wonder what that housefly was thinking there at the end as it ran past that sample of autunite.

[@DresdonAcacinTheOriginal]

You had me at Bionicles

[@TomekKogutah]

beautyful collection! I'm impressed :) especially by uranium glass... your blacklight even atracted some bug at the end of vid I notticed xD

[@brainiac75]

+TomekKogutah Thanks :) And yes, many insects can see UV-light. Blacklights are often used in bug zappers to attract the insects...

[@TomekKogutah]

+Brainiac75 yes I know that... Insects can see uv light probably because they have much more dense setting of light sensors in their eyes, than bigger animals such as mammals for example. Uv light has verry high frequency and smaller amplitude than visible light, so it can go through and inbetween light sensors in our eyes undetected. This is just my theory why it's happenning like that... Sorry for my english if you didn't understood me :) Greetings.

[@brainiac75]

TomekKogutah Your English is good - no problems. I know nothing about the eye-sight of insects but interestingly enough some people suffering from aphakia seems to be able to see UV-light: www.theguardian.com/science/2002/may/30/medicalscience.research

[@lavamanherovlo684]

Duuude those uranium ores towards the end are pretty

[@jeanmichel4269]

4:42 It looks like kryptonite. Very impressive Thanks

[@CrimsonNorway]

Thanks for the reply :D I love your videos and congratulations for 10,000 subscribers! :)

[@brainiac75]

Thanks :) I make videos about things I find fascinating myself - I will not spend time on filming and editing things that don't amuse me. I leave that to the professionals ;)

[@meghathanvi6941]

From where did you get those radioactive stones??

[@MegaScienceguru]

im with this guy i love phosphorus please do a video on that

[@marklowther2133]

4:55 that moth loves to disco

[@WarMarsM]

You have great videos.

[@brainiac75]

Thanks :D

[@TheMikkela]

you are awesome. you sul be a english teacher or a scince teacher sorry i'm not the best to english (i'm from denmark) ;) you make some good videos.

[@brainiac75]

Thank you! I understood your English :) Men du må gerne skrive til mig på dansk, da jeg også er dansker :o)

[@Purple431]

I love tonic water I like the bitter taste (for some reason...)

[@vlogealtraroba....2216]

Love your channel.10/10

[@brandonfireking7655]

i use old school shave soap, like what great grandfather would use. for the cup i use a 1920s uranium glass tea cup. looks cool when it doesnt have soap scum in it

[@alexblack8634]

isn't quinine a treatment for malaria?

[@lekunberriko1]

Very good, brother.

[@fandyus4125]

4:33 looks like something from Fallout 4.

[@OmarTheAtheistAziz]

I want to buy radioactive florescent rocks, like the one in the video @ 4:30 but how well does it glow, does the rocks expire over time (effective glow reduces/time), how far do u hold the UV lights from the rock for it to glow?

[@brainiac75]

The two shown samples will not faint over time. They will glow as long as UV-light are hitting them. The distance they will glow from depends on the light source. I used a 18W black light fluorescent tube at around a 30 cm distance in the video. The closer, the more glow. A more directional UV flash light could make them glow from meters away. You don't have to buy the shown radioactive samples to get an UV-light fluorescence though: geology.com/articles/fluorescent-minerals/

[@MultiSciGeek]

Can you make a video on how glow in the dark plastic works?

[@laurenhorner6723]

This was sooooooo beautiful!!

[@Joeyflyswimmer]

phosphorescence ismy favorite you should do it

[@br0letsg0]

Why the hell do people dislike this? This video is pretty okay

[@BrotherSergeantFlynn]

They dislike it to make themselves feel better about their boring lives. In reality this only helps youtubers as like and dislikes are valued equally.

[@br0letsg0]

Wow, that was deep

[@hyperhektor7733]

are there Fluorescence pigments in the iris of the human eye too? (my eyes look green in sunlight but blue-grey indoors)

[@brainiac75]

Not to my knowledge. I believe it is more a question about sunlight being very bright, so your pupils are small in it - stretching the colored iris and maybe changing its appearence. It could also be a matter of the color quality of the light you see your eyes in (CRI value: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5PCdaJneJqZsJo ). LEDs and fluorescent bulbs don't necessarily render colors very well...

[@ZoonCrypticon]

...and the first disco-visitor arrived at min 4:37 and was not seen again after it mutated into a handsized cockroach after its radiant visit...

[@navtium]

Can you eat/drink out of uranium glass without consequence? I know it's /only/ an alfa source, but that could be dangerous if ingested... I suspect if it's not damaged or chipped it would probably be ok... or not?

[@brainiac75]

The tests I have seen with uranium glass indicates that you can drink from these without problems. They are however not suitable for strong acidic drinks that can dissolve tiny traces of uranium from the glass. Personally I don't drink from these glasses. My logic being that I have non-radioactive glasses so why not use them instead :)

[@Ilovelazers]

brainiac75 It's not recomended to drink out of Vasiline Glass (UO2 doped glass) because the U02 and other elements of decay will leach into the water and a small, but not negligible amount.

[@brainiac75]

therealnightwriter Hehe, no, I wouldn't personally use a juicer made of vaseline glass. The acids in juices (citric, malic etc.) are a bad combination with this type of glass. Just enjoy the beauty of it :)

[@boogxian]

Well done

[@Walkingdeadman1991]

Where do you get all your cool fluorescent stuff??

[@enjoipandas2161]

Mother nature knows how to disco!

[@marcoe.f.mendiolaulloa4440]

4:54 and that is how Mothman was created

[@Pleplerhep]

Brainiac, the flourescence liquid at the start of the video, will it "go bad" over time or will it keep its properties? I was thinking to make some nuka cola bottles from fallout and glue some uv leds in the bottom, the color is is perfect for that :D

[@brainiac75]

The fluorescent ingredients are very stable, so to my knowledge they should be fluorescent for decades if not mixed with other chemicals to break them down.

[@Pleplerhep]

And the liquid is litterally just the soda from the soda bottle? :O

[@brainiac75]

Yep, the tonic water has the blue-fluorescent quinine. Just put some UV-light on it :)

[@Pleplerhep]

Sweet, thanks :D

[@EZCyclone]

You could also make it stronger by adding more quinine. www.ebay.com/i/231009527380?chn=ps&dispItem=1

[@LS-hx9zc]

Det var simpelthen en klasse video, mange tak for info!

[@brainiac75]

Tak for at du kiggede med :)

[@asli5956]

is fluorescein the thing in those glow-in-dark sticks?

[@CrimsonNorway]

I did some work experience at an opticians and use fluorescein as a dye to check for scratches on the eyes of contact lens users... but I remember this as an orange dye. Is my memory failing or is this a different type of flurescein?

[@hatejewsand2a]

WOW,man you are fantastic ,thx for all new teachings:D

[@TheRealTrikein]

"Mother Nature knows how to disco" LOL

[@AnastasiaCooper]

isn't uranium glass supposed to be radioactive? So is ist a good idea to eat/drink from/out of these things? But not all uv-active materials are radioactive, right?

[@brainiac75]

+Anastasia Cooper Uranium glass is a little radioactive but so weakly that they are considered safe to use. Just avoid acidic drinks and food that uranium can leach into from the glass. It is not uncommon to find uranium in drinking water in very small quantities though... But I don't use uranium glass or uranium glazed pottery. I prefer the non-radioactive I have :)

[@brainiac75]

+Anastasia Cooper And yes, most UV-active materials are not radioactive.

[@AnastasiaCooper]

+brainiac75 thanks for answering (that fast!) I really enjoy watching your collections

[@Sogatho]

Reminds me of Magic Boulder in KSP 4:31

[@ThefireballVR]

Team up with the slowmo guys and have them inject Fluorescein & Rhodamine B into the water. That'd be interesting as they've already tried it with paint.

[@errubiel]

great info.. do it.. I like .. can anybody buy autunite and uranocircite anywhere.. where do you get it.. amazing disco display from mother hearth..

[@pairmore2020]

kryptonite :P 4:50

[@mingmingandmikki]

I never knew my bionicles can glow!?? but anyway, really cool video!

[@aeriumsoft]

Your videos are great!!! (Greetings from Norway)

[@brainiac75]

Thanks :) Greetings from Denmark.

[@aeriumsoft]

Åhh, takk så mye for at du svarte tilbake!(did you understand me?)

[@brainiac75]

Ja, jeg forstår norsk på skrift - i hvert fald de fleste ord :)

[@WorldOfDeepThought]

I think you should do it.

[@lucabenedan1616]

I love bionicles

[@brainiac75]

+Luca Benedan Hi. My videos take a long time to make. And I'm not a professional KZbinr. I have a demanding dayjob to take care of besides KZbin. But a new video will be uploaded this week ;)

[@lucabenedan1616]

+Brainiac75 Sorry, i have not experience in making videos... I'll wait for it :)

[@brainiac75]

Luca Benedan That's OK - video coming tomorrow :)

[@SomeoneStoleMyHandleName]

4:33 KSP theme

[@DeadPixelWarThunderAllDay]

Thats what i thought aswell lol, reminded me of floating in space :D

[@marroyoify]

Dead Pixel without fuel... :c

[@davisjacobs3074]

marcos Arroyo Can't tell you how many times I've gotten some horrible looking thing into space and end up with no fuel. But, most of the time I can't get anything into space. Haha! All my space ships turn into manned ICBM's.

[@Hongobogologomo]

marcos Arroyo lol

[@marroyoify]

Dude, my first mission to minmus i DID get to minmus but when i tried to go back i ran out of fuel and now i got a Minmus-base without fuel and only 1 docking port 3 kerbals a poddle engine a little big tank and some solar cells

[@jeffl5253]

oh snap, hidden kyrptonite!

[@mikecarinum3032]

Hi Brainiac. Thanks for the upload. Being an expert in magnets. Do you think it is possible to create a magnetic engine that can provide more energy than it uses? The magnets I have seen in your videos are extremely powerful and yet so small, so logically the magnet by itself can provide more energy than its weight which is why I am asking.

[@peezuhmarmalade891]

If you spill tonic water on your clothes, will they still glow under black light?

[@brainiac75]

Yep, black lights are very good at revealing stains - especially fluorescent tonic water stains x)

[@peezuhmarmalade891]

Will it show up even after it's washed? Even a little bit?

[@brainiac75]

Ryan Shafer No, the washing machine should be able to remove the tonic water.

[@rez0lute651]

I have a question wen the relaxational vibration creates heat if you have a controlled beam. Then can you make it go up and down in the sub levels to make it heat up significantly?

[@javierduranjr4076]

does that promote muscle growth?

[@austinpatterson680]

Did you see the little roach climb out at the end all like bright lights mine mine mine

[@vinitaranger]

Cool

[@that_jason_black]

@brainiac75 Are those magnetic balls??? Where can I buy?

[@TheRealTrikein]

Do any materials absorb energy/light in a similar was as these expel them?

[@MichaelJW5]

I want this guy as my science teacher. :I

[@TesserLink]

were can i get a good small sample of uranium glass and what would be a safe way to store it.

[@brainiac75]

Uranium glass can be found in antique stores - mine is mostly from eBay and similar sites. Uranium glass is very weak in radiation so no need for special storage. Close and prolonged exposure (like several hours every day) should be avoided so just don't put it in under your pillow...

[@Walkingdeadman1991]

Thanks!

[@abdullah32592]

you keep surprise me every time . I love you ^_^

[@Galehus]

Awsome video! can't wait for the next one :)

[@brainiac75]

I'm rewarded with subs every day! In around 550 years I will have as many subscribers as Vsauce :) That is if Vsauce stops gaining subs right now... Let's hope that never happens! We need as many scientific and educational channels as possible on KZbin to balance the nonsense ;) I'm just the humble Danish contribution to this.

[@PainTensei551]

This is amazing!!!

[@brainiac75]

+Pain Science is amazing! I have no idea why so many find it 'boring'. They must have had boring physics or chemistry teachers ;)

[@PainTensei551]

+brainiac75 I absolutely agree, keep it up my friend! :D

[@yaseenaljanabi1338]

wow so cool

[@Sxultv]

do you think there is anything like this maybe tonic water that's safe to inhale?

[@brainiac75]

+Jake Weaver Not sure I understand the question. Tonic water is safe to drink - the other fluorescent dyes shown in this video are not safe to drink...

[@CabalaCicero]

Can you recommend me a book or article on minerals? Where to start?

[@brainiac75]

I'm not a mineralogist, but if you are interested in radioactive minerals the book by Robert Lauf 'Introduction to Radioactive Minerals' seems to be very popular. I am considering buying it myself.

[@pretor92]

Mothet nature knows how to disco

[@TheGarrett27]

4:55 peep buggo in the left corner

[@bangerra]

It's shame you didn't include organic calcite and aragonite. Simple things like seashells or coral can give a fantastic variety of colours even within a single sample.

[@brainiac75]

Yes, I am only showing a fraction of things that can fluoresce. I am considering expanding my collection of fluorescing mineral samples. There are some fantastic ones as you mention :)