Highlighters

What chemicals make highlighters glow in black light?

Okay, so my friend and I did a chemistry experiment for school, and we added highlighter ink to water and put it under black light and... HUZZAH IT GLOWS! But we have no idea why... Does anyone know? And also we can't find the chemicals that are in the highlighters, so if someone could tell us that would be great! (aaandd our grades kind of depend on this so any help would be MUCH appreciated =D )

Public Comments

1. Highlighters contain high amounts of Phosphors, which react with UVA (Ultraviolet type A) light and create a luminescent sensation! All black lights produce UVA light, which is invisible to the human eye, the reason that black lights give off a purple glow is because of the color of the glass and the inside is lined with phosphor. As for the exact chemicals highlighters are made of, im not sure! but thats why when you put the center of highlighter into a jar with water, it glows, the phosphor seeps into the water! Hopefully i answered your question!