Eli5 Why is it that, in some rooms, when you turn on the light there’s a delay, but when you switch it off, it turns off instantly?

Question

Eli5 Why is it that, in some rooms, when you turn on the light there’s a delay, but when you switch it off, it turns off instantly?

In: 0

Answer 1

That happens in neon lamps. There’s gas in those tubes and when you turn on the light electrons move around and hit each other. This causes them to release photons (light). The time between turnşng on the switch and getting light is the time it takes for those atoms go get moving. They stop immediately when you turn off the switch.