The spiral is constructed from a 3' piece of clear acrylic pipe (6" in diameter). Fit a plastic funnel inside the top of the pipe, plug the bottom of the funnel with a one hole rubber stopper with a glass insert, and attach approximately 40í of clear PVC tubing (5/16" id x 1/16" wall thickness) to the glass insert through a hole in the acrylic pipe. Wrap the tubing around the pipe (about 12 turns). Attach the tubing with clear silicone sealant and secure the pipe over a ring stand. Leave enough excess PVC tubing to reach from the top of a bench to a waste container on the floor.

In a 2 L plastic bottle add 500 mL distilled water, 9.4 g Na₂CO₃ ^. H₂O, and 0.4 g luminol. Shake vigorously to dissolve (the luminol is difficult to dissolve). Then add 48 g NaHCO₃, 1.0 g (NH₄)₂CO₃, and 0.8 g CuSO₄. Dilute to 2 L and mix thoroughly.

Dilute 11 mL 27% H₂O₂ (Baquacil Shock available from a pool supply store) to 2 L in a 2 L plastic bottle. This solution is approximately 0.15 % H₂O₂.

Pre-demonstration Preparation:

Fill one 2 L Erlenmeyer with 1500 mL of chemiluminescent solution A and the other with 1500 mL of chemiluminescent solution B. Set the spiral in the middle of the demonstration bench with an Erlenmeyer on each side. Run the exit tube of the spiral into the 4 L waste flask on the floor.

The Demonstration:

The Blues Brothers stand or sit at center stage with backs to the audience. After putting on their safety sun glasses and more showmanship, the Brothers meet at the spiral and pour the chemiluminescent solutions (each has one of the Erlenmeyers) into the funnel at the top of the spiral at the same rate. The lights go out as they start pouring. They pour enough to keep the funnel full. At the ìscratchî when the music changes to the Pink Panther theme, the Panther enters carrying the bottle of the Rhodamine B solution. The Brothers maintain the blue chemiluminescence in the spiral until the Panther pours in the Rhodamine B solution. At this point they stop pouring and allow the pink fluorescence to go through the spiral. When the Pink Panther music ends, the Panther exits and the Brothers begin pouring the chemiluminescent solutions again (the blue fluorescence flushes out the pink). Before the end of the music the Brothers set down their flasks and exit.

Safety Precautions:

Rhodamine B is harmful by inhalation, in contact with the skin and if swallowed.

Disposal:

Dispose of the chemiluminescent waste solution in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Always contact a permitted waste disposer to assure compliance.