What is a fluorescent lamp?
Q: What is a fluorescent lamp?
A: It is a type of electric light that uses ultraviolet emitted by mercury vapor to excite a phosphor, which emits visible light.
Q: How many types of fluorescent lamps are there?
A: There are two general types, traditional fluorescent and compact fluorescent.
Q: What is the difference between traditional fluorescent and incandescent lamps?
A: The purchase price of a fluorescent lamp is often much higher than an incandescent lamp of the same output, and the light from fluorescent lamps looks different to light from incandescent lamps. However, fluorescent lamps have a longer rated life and use less energy than an incandescent lamp of the same brightness.
Q: Can a fluorescent lamp save money in electricity costs compared to an incandescent lamp?
A: Yes, a fluorescent lamp can save over US$30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime compared to an incandescent lamp.
Q: Is this article about traditional or compact fluorescent lamps?
A: This article is about traditional (straight tube shaped) fluorescent lamps.
Q: What is the purpose of the phosphor in a fluorescent lamp?
A: The phosphor is excited by ultraviolet emitted by mercury vapor and emits visible light.
Q: What type of light does a fluorescent lamp emit?
A: A fluorescent lamp emits visible light that is excited by ultraviolet emitted by mercury vapor.
