Wintergreen

Have you ever wondered if the myth that Life Saver Wintergreen mints spark if you chew them is true?

If so, rest assured that it is no myth.

Two teachers in Merrimack developed the "Life Saver Cruncher" so that they could capture the phenomenon on film.

No camera was involved in capturing the image. The candies are smashed directly onto the film with Rigden’s machine in complete darkness.

Strange, but true

Photo by Micheal Cirelli as presented by the Union Leader.

Comments

[Cop Car]

Susan Stamberg and whoever her co-host was on All Things Considered (Bob Edwards?) did the experiment on the air--at least 15 years ago. The difference was that they supposedly went into a dark closet to bite down on a candy. I knew that they wouldn't lie to us, so it never occurred to me to question that a spark resulted. They gave some scientist's explanation, I believe, but I don't recall what it was.

[Lizzie and Paulina]

No, it doesn't work.

[Boob]

This is so flippin sweet. I don't know what this comment is about.

[Booby Jr.]

I think it does work. My date bout 12 boxes so I will try it and let you know.

[Mandi]

wintergreen mints do spark when you chew them but the conditions have to be right here is a good scenerio:

go in a room with a mirror close the door and turn off alol sources of light. as you watch yourself in the mirror, put a mint in your mouth. bite down hard with your molars and watch the sparks fly!!

the sparks are caused by what is called triboluminescence (pronounced try-bow-loom-in-ess-ence), luminescence refers to light, and tribo is from a greek word which means rubbing, the light appears without ignition due to friction from your teeth and methyl salicylate which is an oil found in wintergreen flavoring.

-Mandi

[Ayla]

I tried this for a science experiment and it really works!!! i chewed up one lifesaver in a dark dark room and it sparked!!!!