[paul.fr]

Fluorescent bulbs work by giving a gas lots of energy electrically which they then emit as light. The difficult thing is to find a gas that emits light at the right frequencies. For example sodium vapour makes an orange colour (eg streetlights) neon gas makes a red colour. I think there is a mixture of gasses in a flourescent tube one of which is mercury which emits in the visible range and in UV - the UV is then converted into visible light using a phosphor. I guess mercury is the best mixture of colour and efficiency available.

Dave, is phosphor the white powdery substance in the flourescent tube? If so what actions should one take, if any, if the tube smashes and you get some of the phosphur on yourself or inhale it?

[Karen W.]

I do believe it is! But not positive

[eric l]

Actually, the powder is not phosphor(us), but a mixture of phosphorous salts.  (see also :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_tube)  This means that they are not classified as "dangerous substances" to the same degree as the "metalic" phosphorus.  Still, it is not advisable to inhale them or anything like that (but they will not create a fire when exposed to air).

[daveshorts]

A phosphor and phosphorous are two different things.

 A phosphor is something which when given energy, by UV or high energy electrons will give off light, zinc sulphide is the tradidional one, but I am sure they use more exotic things in a fluorescent tube.

 Phosphorous is an element that is very flamable, and some allotropes will glow if exposed to oxygen. Some types will catch fire just by exposing them to oxygen. It burns very brightly and is often used for flares and illumination grenades.

[Bored chemist]

Long ago they used beryllium silicates in the phosphors in fluorescent tubes. Since Beryllium compounds are pretty toxic, various scare stories grew up about the stuff in the tubes (notably a myth that the stuff was radioactive). It's probably not a good idea to inhale or ingest these phosphors but the newer ones are less toxic- at least to the extent that you should worry about the mercury instead.
(BTW, IIRC metalic phosphorus is one of the least nasty forms)

[lightarrow]

Long ago they used beryllium silicates in the phosphors in fluorescent tubes. Since Beryllium compounds are pretty toxic, various scare stories grew up about the stuff in the tubes (notably a myth that the stuff was radioactive). It's probably not a good idea to inhale or ingest these phosphors but the newer ones are less toxic- at least to the extent that you should worry about the mercury instead.
(BTW, IIRC metalic phosphorus is one of the least nasty forms)

In English you say "metallic" phosphorus even if it's not a metal? Curious.

[paul.fr]

anastasia and i were doing this again earlier in the evening. curiously standard clear light bulbs when left too long shatter in to large pieces, and those ones with a coating "mood" type bulbs shatter in to minute pieces!

[Seany]

Hmm. How is the microwave? []

[paul.fr]

once all the glass was removed, the microwave was fine. i dont use it to cook with anyway, just for experiments.

[Seany]

See.. A perfect dad!! Experimenting!! Any discoveries/inventions/creations?

[paul.fr]

See.. A perfect dad!! Experimenting!! Any discoveries/inventions/creations?

yes, i discovered that after 15 seconds there is a big bang and people dive to the floor casting blame at the oldest person in the room - me  []

[Seany]

LoL! So no new discoveries or amazing findings huh? []