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

32679 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Two people sit opposite each other on the edge of a rotating disk of radius, R, and negligible mass. One person has a mass of 40kg, the other of 50kg. The disk is rotating at 30 revs/min. What is the rotational kinetic energy if R=1.5m?


How would you calculate the moment of a Force on a rigid object?


2 Capacitors (c1 = 500mf) and (c2=300mf), are connected in parallel to a 10v d.c supply. Calculate the total capacitance of the circuit, and hence the total energy stored in the capacitors.


Using Newton's law of gravitation, derive a suitable formula for the escape velocity of an object at Earth's surface.


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