The mercury atoms in a fluorescent tube are excited and then emit photons in the ultraviolet region of the elecrtomagnetic spectrum. Explain how the mercury atoms become excited.

The mercury atom is excited one of its electrons goes from an upper electron shell to a lower electron shell thanks to some energy that it recives from the outside. When an atom is excited it is instable so the electron will go back to its initial shell. This will cause a loss of enregy in the form of a photon

MB
Answered by Marie B. Physics tutor

5606 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

In a particle accelerator, you accelerate an electron. Afterwards, you measure it's energy to be 350 keV. Tell my why you can't find the speed from this energy using your knowledge of classical mechanics.


Give the definition simple harmonic motion and write down the defining equation for such motion stating the meaning of any symbols involved.


State what is meant by a Doppler shift and describe how it was used to study the movement of galaxies.


Two forces of 4N and 10N act on a body. Which of the following could not be the resultant magnitude? (14N, 7N, 6N, 3N)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning