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Created page with ''''Fluorescent light bulbs''' are lamps that use the phenomena of fluorescence to produce light. Fluorescence is the emission of radiation by a substance that is exposed to an ex…'
'''Fluorescent light bulbs''' are lamps that use the phenomena of fluorescence to produce light. Fluorescence is the emission of radiation by a substance that is exposed to an external source of radiation.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fluorescence]</ref> They are much more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, since incandescent bulbs waste most of their energy producing heat rather than light.<ref>[http://home.howstuffworks.com/question236.htm]</ref>
== Operation ==
Fluorescent bulbs consist of glass tubes filled with low pressure mercury-argon vapor. The inner wall of the tube is coated with a white phosphor. A heated filament emits electrons into the vapor, causing the vapor atoms to emit ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light is then absorbed by the white phosphor and re-emitted as visible light.<ref>[http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/fluorescentligh_sowh.htm]</ref>
== Footnotes ==
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== Operation ==
Fluorescent bulbs consist of glass tubes filled with low pressure mercury-argon vapor. The inner wall of the tube is coated with a white phosphor. A heated filament emits electrons into the vapor, causing the vapor atoms to emit ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light is then absorbed by the white phosphor and re-emitted as visible light.<ref>[http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/fluorescentligh_sowh.htm]</ref>
== Footnotes ==
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