Why is it, only under cold weather conditions to you have to rub a fluorescent bulb, perhaps with a moist cloth for it to become lit; whereas in warm conditions they light as soon as you turn on the switch? I think it has something to do with the flow of charges.
2007-07-13 16:52:41 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
They start when ionization at a heated section mkaes an arc strike between the end electrodes. In cold weather the heating and ionization are not as effective.
Below 50 degrees F fluorescents are usually worthless for that reason.
2007-07-13 17:01:11 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I think it has more to do with the ballast than with the gas in the bulb. There are fixtures that are specifically designed to function at lower temperatures but they use the same bulbs. I bought some for my garage just to cover the below 50 temps during winter.
2007-07-13 23:58:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋