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

5206 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A body of mass 2kg is travelling in a straight line along the x-axis. It collides with a second body of mass 3kg which is moving at -2m/s. The two bodies move off together at 3m/s. What is the initial velocity of the first body?


How do you prove Kepler's Third Law?


Give examples of how the photoelectric effect supports the particle nature of light and defies the wave theory.


In some SUVAT questions, they ask for 2 time solutions and I can only find 1. What am I missing?


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