Anthony
Yes they contain Hg. The mercury spectrum is rich in UV lines and these are what drives the fluorescents. With their increase use the antimercury people are very concerned. Do we want to use less energy and pollute or use more energy and not?
Gary
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Anthony Lapinski
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 6:21 AM
To: tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu; phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Subject: [Phys-l] spectra
I want to so a spectra activity where students look at various light sources and gas tubes with a diffraction grating. I also have a black light and a fluorescent light. The black light shows five distinct lines, and matches up with mercury on my spectrum chart. The spectrum for my fluorescent light is similar to that of the black light, but with an extra
(blue) line. Has anyone else seen this? Do CFL's also contain mercury? I am wondering if both lights contain mercury, why are the spectral lines slightly different?