Triboluminesence

Another way that atoms produce light is the process of triboluminescence. When you go into a very dark room and crunch on some mint Lifesavers, they create sparks in your mouth, but only if it is dry.  This occurrence is fun and due to triboluminescence. When you crunch the Lifesavers, they tend to break along planes splitting positively and negatively charged ions.  When one splits these sugar crystals, the ions try to bridge over the gap and create UV energy.  This energy is absorbed by the candy, which is fluorescent, and re-emitted as visible light.  This light is the spark one sees.  Triboluminescence is just fluorescence in disguise (5).