How does a fluorescent lamp work?
A typical fluorescent lamp is composed of a phosphor-coated glass tube with electrodes located at either end. The tube contains enough mercury to serve as a conductor in a partial vacuum. When a voltage is applied, the electrodes energize the mercury vapor, causing it to emit ultraviolet (UV) energy. The phosphor coating absorbs the UV energy, which causes the phosphor to fluoresce and emit visible light without much heat. Without the mercury vapor to produce UV energy, there would be no light.
