What Is a Mercury ARC Lamp?
A mercury arc lamp is a type of light source that uses liquid mercury and an inert gas, such as xenon or argon, to produce a bright light. Mercury arc lamps are usually only used in certain fields of science. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Brightness
-
According to Zeiss, a company that manufactures them, mercury arc lamps are capable of generating light that is 10 to 100 times brighter than incandescent lights normally used in the home.
Uses
-
Mercury arc lamps are not usually used in residential settings. Scientists typically use mercury arc lamps in the field of fluorescence microscopy, a process that allows biologists to better study cellular organisms.
-
Life
-
Mercury arc lamps normally have a life of about 200 hours. After approximately 200 hours of use, they will burn out and have to be replaced.
Care
-
According to the Gonda Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center at UCLA, a mercury arc lamp should be left on for at least 20 to 30 minutes once it has been turned on. It should never be turned on if it is warm. These strategies will help lengthen the life of the lamp.
Cautions
-
The Environmental Protection Agency warns that exposure to elemental mercury can cause cognitive impairment and decreased motor functioning in human beings. High levels of exposure can cause kidney or respiratory failure and even death. In the case of a broken arc lamp, procedures for hazardous waste cleanup should be followed.
-
