Final answer:
Fluorescent light bulbs are used in schools and stores due to their efficiency and energy-saving properties. They use gases that glow when a current flows through them, making them more efficient than traditional light bulbs. These bulbs have a short time delay when turned on, as the gas molecules reach an excited state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fluorescent light bulbs are commonly used in schools and stores. They use gases that glow when a current flows through them, instead of thin wires like traditional light bulbs. This makes them much more efficient and energy-saving. Fluorescent light bulbs also have a short time delay when they are turned on, as the molecules in the gas mixture reach an excited state. It's worth noting that these bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, but the mercury is contained in the fluorescent coating and is not released if the bulb is broken.