Explain how fluorescent tubes work

Fluorescent tubes are filled with low pressure mercury, when an electric current is passed through, the electrons in mercury are excited and move to a high energy level, this high level state is unstable and so the electron moves back to its original state, but on doing so, it emits an electromagnetic wave with energy equivalent the difference in energy level. This is UV light and the electrons in the phosphor coating inside the fluorescent tube are excited, and releases visible light when the electrons return to its orginal energy state, which provides the glow in fluorescent lights.

MW

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is Newton's Third Law and what is an example of it?


Why does a skydiver go through two different terminal velocities?


You are asked to find the Young modulus for a metal using a sample of wire. *(a) Describe the apparatus you would use, the measurements you would take and explain how you would use them to determine the Young modulus for the metal.


A wire has length l, cross-sectional area a, resistivity p and resistance R. It is compressed to a third of its original length but its volume and resistivity are constant. Show its new resistance is R/9.