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
Answered by Michael W. Physics tutor

31803 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how standing waves are formed and explain why nodes and antinodes are formed.


A ball is dropped from a 5.0m high window. Assuming air resistance is negligible, calculate the time taken for it to hit the ground.


Why is Kinetic Energy mv^2/2?


Calculate the length of a 120m (as measured by the astronaut) spaceship travelling at 0.85c as measured by a stationary observer


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning