subject: Fluorescent Light Bulbs Over Regular Light Bulbs [print this page] A regular yellow light bulb is also known as the incandescent light bulb. These light bulbs utilize a thin layer that is made of tungsten. When the electricity passes through this layer, it heats up until it becomes fully hot. This heat produces the light coming from the bulb. Aside from the light, the bulb also produces plenty of heat. Technically, this is a waste of energy. The attempt to reduce this waste of energy resulted to the creation of the fluorescent lamp. These light bulbs are energy efficient. Unlike the regular light bulb, fluorescent lamps do not use tungsten to produce light.
A fluorescent light bulb utilizes a different process to produce light. It uses electrodes on both ends of the tube of a fluorescent bulb. A river of electrons flows in the gas from one electrode to another one. These tiny electrons collapse in the mercury atoms and ignite them. As the mercury atoms alternate from ignition to inactive state, they produce ultraviolet photons. These particles called photons bumps into the phosphor coating of the tube of the fluorescent bulb. This phosphor activity produces the visible light. A fluorescent light bulb can produce the light equivalent of four to six incandescent light bulbs. For example, a 20 watt fluorescent light bulb gives of the same amount of light as an 80 watt incandescent light bulb.
The good thing about fluorescent light bulbs is that they produce a smaller amount of heat. They can give off between 60 and 110 lumens per watt. A lot of homes all over the world have chosen to use fluorescent light bulbs over incandescent bulbs. They produce bright white light and reduce energy consumption. They already available in stores and they usually come with a three month warranty. You can buy them in different lumens. One unique part in fluorescent light bulbs is the starter. A fluorescent light will not work without a good functioning starter to complete the electrical circuit.
