Why does a tube light flicker when switched on?

[ekaveera100]

Homework Statement

Q1)why will there be initial flickering when we siwtch on tube light
Q2)is starter and capacitor both are same ?(OR)are both of them are enclosed in a single package?

Q3)what is the function of capacitor, is it for power factor improvement?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

As far as i know,when we sitch on supply, current passes through starter and after some time, contacts of starter gets opened, causing high voltage kick by inductor or ballast making the tube light glow.But i still could not answer the above queries.

 

[gsal]

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