RE: fluorescent tube question

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "David Thomson by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <dave-at-volantis-dot-org>

Hi Dave,

> How does the output of a tesla coil light a fluorescent tube from a
> distance without direct contact?

	The tube lights, largely, from current flows thru the tube.

Not quite.  Tesla coils work at very high voltages, therefore the current is
quite low.  It's the high energy state of the voltage and charge that
excites the mercury and other gasses within the tube and causes photo
phosphorescence.

	(Question:
	Is there any lighting due to 'direct' excitation of the
	phosphors?  Tricky experiment to do....   Hmmmmm.  Use
	loose CRT instead of a fluorescent tube?  Caution with the
	loose CRT....)

I've been thinking about using a loose CRT, too.  Tesla did many experiments
in this manner.  Like you said, anybody considering this experiment should
be very careful.  With high enough energy input into a CRT, strong X-rays
can be produced.

Dave T.