supak111 said:Yea I found that after my post too. .3% is really nothing, this means most fluorescent bulbs are basically empty vacuum with tiny tiny bit of gas.
Aaaand they all use ballasts, which basically controls how much electricity goes through the bulb. So I'm guessing here since the electricity is limited so is the temp/pressure inside the bulb. In other words, ballast is controlling pressure inside the bulb indirectly. Which keeps the pressure from exceeding the pressure at which the bulb glass would blow up.
Learn something new everyday
supak111 said:Yes but tuning something into plasma isn't a slight increase in temp, its huge so the pressure would be huge too. But the use of a ballast to limit current and use of super low pressure in tubes explains why no booom!
supak111 said:Why don't fluorescent bulbs blow up when electricity is connected? My understanding is that gas inside heats up to plasma to make light.
MikeyW said:This is too much of a simplification. The emission isn't due to the temperature of the gas, it's due to the transfer of energy from the current in the ionised gas (which does not have to be particularly hot) to the electronic orbitals of the mercury vapour and the fluorescent material. These electrons then fall back to lower energy orbitals and emit in the visible light.
sophiecentaur said:Modern fluorescent lights produce UV which excites phosphors on the tube surface to produce broad band white(ish) light.
I don't think I was contradicting you, either.MikeyW said:I don't think anything I said contradicts this.
Strictly speaking though, mercury has emission bands in the visible range.
Crazymechanic said:calculations are good ofcourse but this is one of those question to which you know the answer when you have atleast a basic understanding in physics and electricity.
Fluorescent bulbs are designed specifically to withstand the high levels of electricity needed to produce light. They are made with a gas-filled tube that is coated with a phosphor material. When electricity is applied, the gas inside the tube is excited and produces ultraviolet light. The phosphor coating then converts the ultraviolet light into visible light, allowing the bulb to produce light without blowing up.
Fluorescent bulbs have a built-in mechanism called a ballast that regulates the flow of electricity. This helps to prevent the bulb from overheating and potentially exploding. The ballast also helps to provide a consistent flow of electricity, ensuring that the bulb produces a steady and reliable source of light.
While fluorescent bulbs are designed to withstand high levels of electricity, they can still explode under certain conditions. If the bulb is damaged or has a defect, it may not be able to handle the electricity and could explode. Additionally, if the bulb is exposed to extreme temperatures or excessive vibration, it could also potentially explode.
Manufacturers of fluorescent bulbs are required to follow safety standards to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use. This includes testing the bulbs to ensure they can handle the appropriate levels of electricity and implementing safety features such as the ballast. Additionally, it is important for individuals to handle and install fluorescent bulbs carefully to avoid damaging them and potentially causing them to explode.
If a fluorescent bulb does explode, it is important to handle the situation carefully. Make sure to turn off the power and use gloves or a cloth to carefully remove any broken glass. Dispose of the broken bulb properly and replace it with a new one. It is also a good idea to check for any potential issues with the light fixture or wiring to ensure that the new bulb does not also explode.