Final answer:
Gas discharge tubes maintain a constant electric potential between the tube current's electrons and the enclosure, making them less likely to fail and thus longer-lived.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gas discharge tubes maintain a constant electric potential between the electrons of the tube current and the enclosure. Therefore, they have a longer life and are less likely to fail. Gas discharge tubes work by filling an enclosed glass tube with a gas at low pressure. When an electric current is passed through this gas, the electrons in the gas atoms become excited and then return to lower energy levels, during which they emit light of distinctive colors. This process relies on maintaining a consistent electric potential to function properly and efficiently, which contributes to the longevity and reliability of these tubes.