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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!

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