The mercury atoms in a fluorescent tube are excited and then emit photons in the ultraviolet region of the elecrtomagnetic spectrum. Explain how the mercury atoms become excited.

The mercury atom is excited one of its electrons goes from an upper electron shell to a lower electron shell thanks to some energy that it recives from the outside. When an atom is excited it is instable so the electron will go back to its initial shell. This will cause a loss of enregy in the form of a photon

MB
Answered by Marie B. Physics tutor

5588 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are Newton's 3 laws of motion?


A ball is thrown up with an initial velocity of 8 m/s and initial height of 1.5m above the ground. Calculate the maximum height the ball reaches and the time it takes to get there.


A car moves from rest and accelerates uniformly at 4m/s/s, how far will it have traveled after 10 seconds?


What is a vector quantity


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning