Beatrice Lang
Neon lighting is created by passing an electrical current through a gas-filled tube, causing the gas to emit light. The colour of the light depends on the type of gas used. Pure neon gas emits a reddish-orange light, but other gases can be used to produce different colours, such as argon (blue), helium (yellow or pink), and krypton (green). By mixing gases and using fluorescent coatings, a wide range of colours can be achieved, allowing designers to create vivid and distinctive neon signs with multiple colours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color of light emitted by neon gas | Red-dish-orange |
| Color of light emitted by argon gas | Blue, lavender |
| Color of light emitted by helium gas | Yellow, pink, orange |
| Color of light emitted by krypton gas | Green, pale blue |
| Color of light emitted by mercury gas | Blue |
| Color of light emitted by carbon dioxide | White |
| Color of light emitted by hydrogen | Purple-red |
| Color of light emitted by xenon | Gray, blue |
| Color of light emitted by uranium glass | Yellow |
| Color of light emitted by phosphors | Depends on the coating |
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What You'll Learn
The colour of neon is reddish-orange
The colour of light depends on the gas in the tube. Neon lights were named after neon gas, which gives off a popular reddish-orange light. However, other gases and chemicals called phosphors are used to produce other colours. For example, hydrogen gives off purple-red, helium gives off yellow or pink, carbon dioxide gives off white, and mercury gives off blue.
The colour of neon lights can also be altered by using different gases or a mixture of gases to produce different colours. For instance, mixing metallic mercury with neon gas creates blue light. Green can be achieved using uranium (yellow) glass. White and gold can be created by adding argon and helium.
The colour of neon lights can also be influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, the composition of gases used, and the amount of electrical current passing through the tube. Additionally, coatings applied to the inside of the glass tubing can also affect the colour by altering the wavelength of the emitted light.
The reddish-orange colour of neon has been described as a "blaze of crimson light" by Morris W. Travers, one of the scientists who discovered neon gas in 1898. The colour of neon has become iconic and is often associated with vibrant and distinctive signage.
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Other gases create different colours
Neon is a noble gas chemical element and an inert gas that makes up a minor component of the Earth's atmosphere. When electricity is applied to some gases, it produces light. Electrified neon gas inside a sealed tube causes the gas to emit a bright reddish-orange glow. However, other gases can be used to create different colours.
For example, helium produces a pinkish-red or orange glow. Krypton emits grey or green light, with the latter being popular in nightclubs and restaurants due to its soft bluish tones. Argon, which has been commonly used in neon signs since the 1900s, produces a soft blue tinge. When combined with mercury vapour and coloured phosphors, argon can give off many other colours, from white to purple and yellow. Xenon produces a bright white light when electrified, and when mixed with other noble gases, it emits a variety of colours.
Mercury, a silvery liquid metal, produces a distinctive blue-white hue when used in neon signs. It also works in combination with other gases to produce various colours. However, its use in neon signs is not common today. Uranium (yellow) glass can be used to create a green colour, and white and gold can be achieved by adding argon and helium.
The colour of the light depends on the gas in the tube, and by mixing different gases and elements, various hues can be created. Fluorescent coatings (phosphors) and glasses are also used to obtain bright colours. Each gas used in neon lights has its own colour, and by combining different gases, manufacturers can create signs with as many colours as desired.
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Combining gases creates new colours
The phenomenon of combining gases to create new colours is not limited to neon lighting. However, the concept of neon lighting serves as a perfect illustration of this intriguing principle. Neon lighting, with its brilliant glow, is crafted from electrified glass tubes or bulbs that encapsulate rarefied neon or other gases at low pressure. The application of a high voltage to the electrodes within the tube initiates the ionization process, prompting the gas to emit light of a specific colour.
The colour of the light is intricately linked to the gas within the tube. Neon, a noble gas, yields an appealing orange hue, but other gases and chemicals known as phosphors can be introduced to generate a spectrum of colours. For instance, hydrogen produces a purple-red shade, while helium emits yellow or pink, carbon dioxide yields white, and mercury vapour results in blue.
The art of combining gases to create distinct colours extends beyond the use of a single gas. By blending different gases, such as mixing metallic mercury with neon gas, one can achieve a variety of colours, including blue. Green can be obtained through the use of uranium (yellow) glass. White and gold hues can be crafted by introducing argon and helium into the mix.
The versatility of argon is noteworthy, as it can be combined with mercury vapour and different phosphor coatings to produce a wide array of colours, ranging from bright green to soft pink. Argon-based signs, however, may experience issues in cold weather, causing dimming or flickering. This is where neon gas excels, as it is less susceptible to the effects of low temperatures, making it a preferred choice in colder regions.
The process of creating new colours by combining gases is not limited to a specific number of gases. By employing a combination of straight gas, mixed gases, elements, and coloured glass tubing, neon signs can showcase as many colours as the designer desires. This versatility allows for the creation of intricate designs and vibrant displays that captivate viewers.
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Coating the glass tube changes the colour
The colour of light emitted by a neon tube depends on the type of gas used, the colour of the glass tube, and the phosphor coating. The colour of neon in its pure form is reddish-orange, but other gases can be used to produce different colours, such as purple-red (hydrogen), yellow or pink (helium), white (carbon dioxide), and blue (mercury).
Coating the glass tube with a phosphor or other chemical will change the colour of the light emitted when it is energised. This method of altering the colour of the light is separate from the colour produced by the gas inside the tube. The coating is usually applied to the inside of the tube and can be done in fluorescent powder form, creating colours like pink or warm white. The tubes are white when switched off, and the specific colour is only recognised when switched on. The tubes can also be coloured, for example, a red tube is used for "Ruby Red" neon, and a blue tube for "Cobalt Blue".
The colour of the light depends on the energy level of the electrons in the atoms of the gas. When electricity is applied to the tube, the atoms are energised and electrons are knocked out of their orbit. When the electrons are absorbed back into the atoms, they release energy in the form of photons, which are light particles. The difference in energy levels between the excited and original states of the electrons determines the colour of the light produced.
The coating on the glass tube changes the colour by altering the energy levels of the electrons in the atoms of the gas. The coating provides a surface for the electrons to interact with, and the type of coating material will determine how the electrons are affected. The electrons will then emit a different wavelength of photon, resulting in a different colour of light.
The development of fluorescent coatings and glasses in the 1920s expanded the range of colours and effects available for neon tube lights. These coatings are usually used with an argon/mercury-vapor mixture, which emits ultraviolet light that activates the fluorescent coating. The range of coatings available has resulted in most modern lights no longer using neon gas, but instead relying on fluorescent lamps with mercury/argon discharge and a phosphor coating.
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Temperature and pressure alter the shade
The colour of neon lights is determined by a combination of gases and other factors. Pure neon emits a reddish-orange light when excited by electricity. However, the colour of neon lights is not solely determined by the gas itself but by a combination of different noble gases and other factors. The colour of the light depends on the energy level of the excited electrons, which is influenced by the amount of electrical current passing through the tube.
The colour of neon lights can also be altered by using different gases or a mixture of gases, as each noble gas emits a characteristic colour. For example, helium produces a pink or yellow light, krypton emits a green light, and argon emits a blue light. By mixing these gases, intermediate colours can be produced.
Additionally, coatings applied to the inside of the glass tubing can affect the colour by altering the wavelength of the emitted light. Fluorescent coatings, or phosphors, are used to obtain bright colours and are usually selected for this purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
Neon gas emits a reddish-orange light when excited by electricity.
The color of a neon light depends on the gas in the tube. Different gases produce different colors. For example, argon produces a blue or lavender hue, helium produces yellow, pink, or orange, and krypton produces green or gray. The color can also be altered by adjusting the energy levels of the excited atoms, using colored glass tubing, and applying coatings to the inside of the glass tubing.
Neon lights are used for dramatic, multicolored glowing signage for advertising. They are also used in displays and airport landing strips.
