Question

I am trying to construct a UV-C water purifier for my own personal use. I was going to use a standard mercury gas filled tube through which I will run an electric current. I need the gas to emit a wavelenght around 260nm give or take, and I was wondering if changing the magnitude of the current effects the wavelenght produced by the Hg?

Answer 1

it will not
every element has its own emission spectrum
meaning it will only produce very specific wave length
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury-vapor_lamp#Emission_line_spectrum

so in a nutshell, you cannot change the wavelengths by changing the current

Answer 2

Thank you :D My other question was does the amount of current passing through the vapor effect how much of the EM radiation emitted?

Answer 3

basically your question is, more current = more light(photons)
i would say yes but i cant think of the reason or proof to back up that claim