Fluorescent tubes are a lamp type that can be seen in a variety of industries; from commercial, industrial, classroom and home lighting. They rely on the process of electron excitation.
Define the term ‘electron excitation’.
Figure 1 shows a simplified diagram of a fluorescent bulb.
From the list below, circle the component of the fluorescent bulb from which visible light originates.
Phosphor coating
Cathode
Glass tube
Mercury atoms
The fluorescent bulb in Figure 1 can produce visible light of wavelength 450 nm.
Calculate the energy of a single photon of wavelength 450 nm.
Historically, visible light was made up of waves, because it could be diffracted through gaps. However, experimental evidence emerged which suggested visible light is made up of particles.
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