Smashing (Frozen) Pumpkins: Celebrate Halloween with Triboluminescence!

Pumpkins have a very important role this time of year. Not only can they be used as decorations, jack-o-lanterns, and in pumpkin pies, but we can use them for some unique autumnal science, to demonstrate the phenomenon oftriboluminescence: when solid objects emit light under physical strain. This isn't like putting a candle inside a jack-o-lantern, mind you--the pumpkin itselfcan glow...but only for a split second, before it stops being a pumpkin altogether. As part of an annual tradition at Rho...