Re: Fluorescent bulbs
SCHRAMMR@WLSVAX.WVNET.EDU
Mon, 30 Sep 1996 22:01:09 -0400 (EDT)
Fluorescent tube do contain liquid mercury which is vaporized by the
filaments whereupon a mercury arc is created which produces the wavelengths
associated with the atomic spectrum of mercury and a considerable amount
of light in the UV portion of the spectrum. The coating on the inside of the
tube absorbs the UV light energy and re-emits it as visable light(flourescense).With proper choice of coating the light may be reddish, white or blueish.
The atomic spectrum of mercury is still present with its strong peaks at
wavelengths corresponding to red, yellow, blue and green as is the UV which
we cannot see.
Bob Schramm