How can you create a coulered gas?

Question: How can you create a coulered gas?
- Keywords:
  gas
Asked by luckylaura to Carol, Ellie, John, Philip, Rebecca on 25 Jun 2012.
- Eleanor Turpin answered on 25 Jun 2012:
  
  Hi luckylaura
  
  Most gases are colourless because they do not absorb visible light and have a very low density. However, one expcetion is chlorine: http://www.periodicvideos.com/videos/017.htm which is green in colour.
- John Welford answered on 26 Jun 2012:
  
  Another way to make a gas coloured is to electrify it!
  
  For example, Neon is usually colourless but will produce a red-orange glow if a current is run through it. This is how Neon lights work.
  
  Other gases can produce different colours, although it is often easier to coat the inside of the tube with a fluorescent coating and use mercury vapour inside. When the mercury vapour has a current passed through it it gives off ultraviolet light (invisible to the human eye) but the interaction between the ultraviolet and and the coating produces a visible light. Its colour depends on the type of coating used.
- Philip Glasson answered on 27 Jun 2012:
  
  Paint it !
- Carol White answered on 27 Jun 2012:
  
  Put some coloured goggles on!
  
  Sorry luckylaura – just joining in with Phil 🙂

Question: How can you create a coulered gas?