What is a fluorescent tube?
Fluorescent lights provide interior illumination for homes, offices and public spaces. The technology was developed in the early 20th century and soon gained wide public acceptance.ComponentsA fluorescent lamp consists of a tube, a fixture into which the tube is fastened and a ballast to control the flow of electricity.Vacuum TubeThe tube contains a low-pressure concentration of mercury vapor and other gases. When a steady electrical current passes through the vapor, the electrons in the outer shell of the atoms reach a higher energy state.CoatingA thin coating on the interior of the lamp is made of fluorescent material, which emits energy in the form of visible light as the gas electrons strike it.VariationsTraditional fluorescent tubes were long and cylindrical and came in a variety of standard sizes, fitted to standard ceiling fixtures. Newer flourescents are U-shaped, circular or manufactured in the form of a spiral (CFL), a design that further conserves electrical energy.Efficienc
