Individual portion
1. What metal element is used in the fluorescent bulb? Compare the emission lines of the
fluorescent bulb to those of the vapor discharge tubes to explain why fluorescent bulbs
must be treated as hazardous waste.
2. How does the shape of the emission spectrum of the compact fluorescent bulb compare to
that of the incandescent bulb?
3. What observation from the spectra of the incandescent and fluorescent bulbs would help to
explain the increased energy efficiency of the fluorescent light?
Extra credit (optional, 5 pts; completed individually):
The 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano for the
discovery of a blue LED which now enables the creation of energy-efficient white light.
Explain how this discovery is revolutionizing light production and energy efficiency. Link
your discussion to what you have learned in this lab activity. Search the Internet for
information and reference your source(s) in your response.