Unpacking the Science Behind Fluorescent Light Tubes

[marco123]

could anyone explain why the mercury vapour inside a fluorescent light tube is kept at a low pressure and the purpose of the coating on the inside of the tube?

thanks
marco

 

[LowlyPion]

could anyone explain why the mercury vapour inside a fluorescent light tube is kept at a low pressure and the purpose of the coating on the inside of the tube?

thanks
marco

A fluorescent lamp or fluorescent tube is a gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible light.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp#Principles_of_operation

 

[marco123]

thanks for that! ;)