Fluorescent lamp

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/fluorescent-lamp

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the typical luminous efficacy?50-100 lumens per watt, offering substantial energy savings over incandescent sources
2. What is the average lifespan?10,000-20,000+ hours, significantly reducing replacement frequency and associated costs
3. What is a fluorescent lamp and how does it make light?A fluorescent lamp is a long tube that turns electricity into light. Inside, a small amount of mercury gas is excited by electricity and emits invisible UV light. A special phosphor coating on the inside of the tube turns that UV light into the bright white light we see.
4. Why do fluorescent lamps use mercury and phosphor inside the tube?The mercury inside the tube glows when it is hit by electricity, but it glows in ultraviolet, which we can't see. The phosphor coating absorbs that UV light and then gives off visible light. The mix of phosphors also decides if the light looks warm or cool.

Luminous Efficacy: A measure of how efficiently a light source produces visible light, expressed in lumens per watt.
Phosphor Coating: A luminescent material applied to the interior of the lamp tube that converts UV radiation into visible light.
Universal Waste: A category of waste, including fluorescent lamps, that is subject to special, streamlined management standards.