Learn how to make an egg appear translucent and glow under UV light in this Ghost Egg science experiment – perfect for Halloween science activities with kids.
Kids love things that glow for Halloween because they add a sense of mystery, excitement, and spookiness that perfectly fits the holiday’s eerie atmosphere. The glowing effect taps into their imagination, making objects seem magical.
This ghost egg experiment is a simple yet mesmerizing demonstration that turns an ordinary egg into something that appears translucent and glows under UV light. You just need a few household items and tonic water that contains quinine.
After showing your kids chemistry in action, you can use the ghost eggs to decorate your house for Halloween—I am sure it will be the talk of the party!
Materials needed for the experiment
Before we begin our spooky journey, let’s gather the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Eggs (white or brown)
- Tonic Water (make sure it contains quinine)
- Vinegar
- Clear container or jar (with a lid)
- Blacklight
Step-by-step Instructions for Conducting the Ghost Egg Experiment
1. Prepare the Eggs: Gently place the eggs into the clear container or jar. We used a mason jar. Be careful not to crack them!
2. Create the Magical Solution: Pour equal parts of tonic water and vinegar over the egg until the container is about 3/4 full (make sure the egg is fully submerged). Watch as bubbles form on the eggshell!
3. Let the Magic Happen: Allow the eggs to soak in the solution for at least 2-3 days.
I will admit that we forgot about our ghost egg, and it sat in the solution for about 1.5 weeks. Don’t worry, it was totally fine!
You can try shining the black light on the egg in the vinegar and tonic water solution. The ghost egg was not glowing much yet because it still had the remnants of the chalky eggshell on it, blocking the inside of the egg that absorbed the solution.
4. Reveal the Ghostly Glow: After the soaking time has elapsed, carefully remove the eggs from the solution and rinse them gently with water. Pat them dry with a towel or paper towels.
5. Unveil the Spectacle: Turn off the lights and shine a black light or UV light onto the eggs. Prepare to be amazed as the eggs take on an eerie, ghostly glow!
What’s cool is that you can also see the yoke so clearly since the egg is translucent! We placed a regular egg next to the ghost egg, and you can see how the regular egg didn’t glow at all under black light. The UV light didn’t seem to impact the regular egg at all, whereas the ghost egg emitted an eerie blue light.
We also tried shining a flashlight on the ghost egg; you can see how semi-transparent it was.
Science Behind the Glowing Ghost Eggs
Tonic water glows under a black light because it contains something special called quinine. Quinine is a plant-derived chemical that has a nifty trick—it can take invisible light (called ultraviolet or UV light) from black light and turn it into light we can see!
When the UV light from the blacklight hits the quinine, the quinine gets excited and releases some of that energy as visible light, which is why tonic water looks like it’s glowing blue! It’s like magic, but it’s really just science.
Fun Ghost Egg Halloween Activity Ideas
- Halloween Party Centerpiece: Display the glowing ghost eggs in a clear container or jar as a mesmerizing centerpiece for your Halloween party table.
- Ghost Egg Hunt: Hide the glowing eggs around your home or yard and challenge your little ones to a ghostly egg hunt after dark. Hand out UV lights and let the kids go wild! If you live in Arizona like me, you might even discover a scorpion or two (they also glow under UV light!).
- Spooky Science Fair: Showcase the Ghost Egg Experiment at a school science fair or Halloween-themed event and teach others about the fascinating science behind it.
- Halloween Decorations: Use the glowing ghost eggs as part of your Halloween decorations, creating a haunting atmosphere throughout your home.
Happy experimenting, and may the ghostly fun begin!
YOU MAY LIKE: