Can Bones Glow When Heated? Exploring Bone Luminescence Science

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of luminescence in bones when subjected to heat, exploring whether bones can glow and the mechanisms behind such a process. Participants touch on related concepts from physics and chemistry, including black body radiation and bioluminescence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that all materials glow when heated sufficiently, but the changes in the material may alter its properties upon cooling.
  • There is a discussion about whether the glowing of bones would be similar to that of metals when heated, with some asserting that the principle is the same.
  • Others caution that the mechanism of black body radiation differs between metals and organic materials, indicating a need for deeper insight into the specific materials involved.
  • One participant argues that bones will not glow as a whole object, as they will decompose before reaching a glowing state, with only certain components potentially glowing.
  • It is noted that decomposition does not necessarily require combustion, and that heat can induce changes in the chemical structure of bones without burning them.
  • Some participants clarify that bones emit infrared radiation, which is not visible to humans, and discuss the concept of bioluminescence as a separate phenomenon that does not rely on heat.
  • There are mentions of genetic modifications in organisms that allow for visible light emission, with references to experiments involving glowing mice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether bones can glow when heated, the mechanisms involved, and the relevance of chemistry versus physics in understanding the processes. No consensus is reached on the specifics of bone luminescence.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the topic, noting the interplay between physical and chemical processes, and the potential for decomposition to affect the outcome. There are unresolved questions regarding the exact conditions under which bones might emit visible light.

DeeZee
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If a bone gets hot enough, will it glow? Sorry if this is a weird question, this seems like the right forum to ask here. :confused:
 
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Everything glows when hot enough, but usually the heat introduces changes in the material so it might be another material when it cools down.
 
Would it be glowing the same way metal glows when it's really hot?
 
Yes, it is the same principle that is responsible.
 
I would not be too sure, the mechanism referred to is black body radiation and metals are definitely different from organic material. Maybe a physics expert has some insight in what materials this radiation occurs, so I'll move it.
 
wouldn't that be more of a chemistry question that a physics one?
 
A bone, as a unit object, will not glow. Long before it glows, it will decompose (i.e. burn) into simpler components. Most of the components will turn to vapor, the carbon ash and trace minerals will glow.
 
Argen said:
wouldn't that be more of a chemistry question that a physics one?
The fields are closely related.
 
DaveC426913 said:
A bone, as a unit object, will not glow. Long before it glows, it will decompose (i.e. burn) into simpler components. Most of the components will turn to vapor, the carbon ash and trace minerals will glow.


Does it have to actually burn to decompose? Does it have to catch fire, I mean?
 
  • #10
The reaction doesn't have to be combustion. If you do it an oxygen free environment then it will be something different. But heat will induce changes in the chemical structure of the bone, long before it starts glowing.
 
  • #11
By "glow" I would guess you mean emit visible radiation. Bones do emit IR radiation which humans cannot see. I cannot find a link right now, but there have been experiments with introducing genetic changes which allow biological organisms to produce visible light. I don't know if any attempts have been made to do this to allow some animal to produce visible light through their bones. Biochemical processes can produce visible light with fireflies an example.
 
  • #12
That's bioluminescence, right? That doesn't really use much heat, does it?
 
  • #13
DeeZee said:
That's bioluminescence, right? That doesn't really use much heat, does it?


That's right. It's a chemical process.
 
  • #14
...im probably imagining things but didn't some sciencentists create (or genetically alter) some mice so that they glowed (in the dark mind you) or something along those lines..i don't know if it was bones but since it was the whole body id get it had something to do w/ the blood stream..just a random thing to mention.
 
  • #15
  • #16
They're hairless! O_O
 

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