LIGHTNINGFor Your Enjoyment

Composition

Main components 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 1% Argon

Trace components Carbon dio/monoxide Krypton Hydrogen Helium Nitrous oxide Neon Methane Ozone Iodine Nitrogen Dioxide Ammonia

Gas Discharge Lamps

Common example: fluorescent lightbulbs

Electric current travels through a tube

The travelling electrons excite the electrons in the gas atoms/molecules. When the electrons move back to lower state, they emit EMR. EMR is usually in the

visible light area but sometimes UV rays are emitted.

Mercury

Mercury emits a bright light. Light blue

RGB combine to form mostly white light.

Commonly used Esp. with argon

Nitrogen

Similar to Argon, but duller and more pink. Argon is violet to

pale lavender blue.

Becomes bright blue-white at high peak currents.

Oxygen

Violet to lavender Dimmer than

argon

Argon

Violet to pale Lavender blue.

Often used together with mercury in lamps.

Carbon Dioxide

Bright-white Brighter than

Xenon in lower currents Xenon is used in car

headlights. Impressive!

More Lightning

More

And More

And Even More