How Do Black Lights Work?

Home » Gadgets » Black Lights » How Do Black Lights Work?

The conventional black light design is a fluorescent lamp with a couple of modifications. Fluorescent lamps generate light by passing electricity through a tube filled with inert gas and a small amount of mercury. When energized, mercury atoms emit energy in the form of light photons in the ultraviolet wavelength range. Ultraviolet light waves are completely invisible, therefore fluorescent lamps have to convert this energy into visible light with a phosphor coating around the outside of the tube. Phosphors are substances that give off white light, or fluoresce, when they are exposed to light. Black lights work on this same principle.

Next Page: What Are The Uses For Black Lights?

Related Black Lights Articles

---

• Black Lights Overview
• How Many Types Of Black Lights Are There?
• How Do Black Lights Work?
• What Are The Uses For Black Lights?
• What Glows Under A Black Light?
• How To Use Black Light Effects
• How Are Black Lights Used To Test Antiques Authenticity?