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Light Bulbs and Artificial Lighting
Artificial lighting has become standard in the homes and companies of most countries. It is used for concert effects, growing food, and reading a book in bed at night.
2,482 Questions
Who invented the long lasting filament electric light bulb?
Thomas Edison is credited with inventing the long-lasting filament electric light bulb in 1879. He developed a carbonized bamboo filament that could last for up to 1200 hours, making light bulbs practical for everyday use.
Does a light bulb involve a wedge?
No, a light bulb does not involve a wedge. A light bulb typically consists of a glass bulb with a filament inside that emits light when electricity passes through it.
What materials did swan and Edison use in the light bulb?
Swan used a carbonized paper filament while Edison used a carbonized bamboo filament in their respective early light bulbs.
What makes a fluorescent light glow?
A fluorescent light uses electricity to create ultraviolet light in a tube filled with mercury vapor and a phosphor coating. The ultraviolet light interacts with the phosphor coating, causing it to emit visible light, which is what makes the fluorescent light glow.
Why does a tube light cast a dim shadow than a bulb?
A tube light casts a dim shadow compared to a bulb because the light emitted by a fluorescent tube is more diffused and spread out, resulting in softer edges and less contrast in the shadow. Conversely, a bulb emits light in all directions, including towards the shadow, creating a sharper and darker outline.
Is a bulb a conductor or insulator?
Electric bulb is basically an insulating device. By calling it an insulating device it does not mean that it completely disallows the flow of electricity! It means that the device or object resists the flow of electricity to some extent. It has a coil of a metal called Tungsten which resists the flow of electricity. Due to this resistance the coil heats up immensely and glows hot. However, this coil of Tungsten does allow some electricity to pass through so that the circuit of electrical flow remains closed/complete and the electric bulb remains lighted.
A complete what is needed to make a bulb light up?
To make a light bulb light up, you need a closed electrical circuit. This circuit typically consists of a power source (such as a battery or outlet), wires to carry the electricity, and the light bulb itself. When the circuit is complete and electricity flows through the bulb, it will produce light.
Why do energy saving light bulbs use less electricity?
Energy-saving lamps, such as normal and compact fluorescents, use more of the energy they consume to produce light rather than heat. An incandescent light converts electricity to heat and light is simply a by-product of the heat.
Fluorescent bulbs still have incandescent filaments, but they are used to emit the electrons that run the length of the tube colliding with the vapourised mercury and producing light.
Mainly because they run "cool", a fluorescent lamp uses only about one fifth - 1/5 - of the electrical energy used by a lamp that has a hot, incandescent filament.
Another good thing about fluorescent lamps is that they can have a useful life that is between 5 and 10 times longer than an incandescent lamp, saving even more money over a period of years. On the other hand, turning a fluorescent lamp on and off repeatedly, so that it only runs for for short periods, will radically shorten its lifespan. Also CFL bulbs tend to cause large amounts of radio frequency interference.
If a fluorescent tube or 'bulb' is broken, the mercury is released which is poisonous.
Another opinion
Saying that the mercury in mercury lamps is dangerous is an urban myth which comes from the old styles of mercury discharge lamps and fluorescent tubes used over fifty years ago, which did indeed contain about a gram of liquid mercury!
While in use such a lamp was not dangerous at all, but if the glass tube or bulb got broken the "blob" of mercury could certainly be dangerous to human health if anyone picked it up with their bare fingers or swallowed it to see what how it tasted.
Mercury is the only example we have on Earth of a metal that is in its liquid state at room temperature. It was such a "curiousity" that several people did get ill - and may have died - from poisoning by mercury, but not much of it would have came from old fashioned "mercury lamps"!
That said, anyone who advises you that "fluorescent lights contain mercury which is poisonous" about today's fluorescent lamps is making a very misleading statement which could be intended just to frighten people.
No matter whether they are the "compact" or the "long tube" types, modern fluorescent lamps contain only an extremely tiny amount of a special mercury amalgam so that, whilst a modern lamp is in use, there is absolutely no danger to anyone.
However, if such a lamp gets broken, then care must be taken to sweep up all the fragments carefully and dispose of them sensibly in something strong enough not to be cut by the broken glass, such as an old corrugated cardboard box or similar bound around with gaffer tape to stop it from being opened easily.
Today, the main danger to people is the risk of getting cuts from the shards of glass, not from mercury poisoning!
The answers to the Related Questions shown below give a lot more information about how compact fluorescent lamps work and about the very good savings you will achieve in the cost of electricity if you use them instead of normal incandescent lamps.
What causes filament to burn out?
Filament burns out due to the high temperature causing it to evaporate, leading to weakening and breakage. Factors such as excessive voltage, frequent on-off cycles, and poor ventilation can also contribute to filament burnout.
Why were filament lamps unreliable?
Filament lamps were unreliable due to the fragility of the filament inside the bulb, which could break easily with minor jolts or vibrations. Additionally, the filament would gradually evaporate over time, leading to reduced lifespan and eventual burnout of the lamp. The filament lamps were also sensitive to variations in voltage, which could affect their performance and longevity.
Will tissue paper melt over a light bulb?
Tissue paper could catch fire or burn near a hot light bulb, but it will not melt like plastic. It is important to keep flammable materials away from hot light bulbs to prevent fire hazards.
The element used in light bulbs filaments?
Tungsten is the element most commonly used in light bulb filaments due to its high melting point and ability to produce light efficiently when heated.
In a parallel circuit how is the brightness of the light bulbs?
the bulbs would be very bright seeing as the two or more light bulbs have very easy excusable paths for electricity to flow and get to the light bulb
AnswerBecause the voltage across each branch of a parallel circuit is the same, each lamp will be subject to its rated voltage and, therefore, will operate at its rated power output.
The element tungsten is ideal for use in light bulbs because of its?
Tungsten is ideal for use in light bulbs because of its high melting point, which is around 3422 °C (6192 °F).
What does r30 mean on a light bulb?
R30 refers to the size and shape of a reflector light bulb. It has a diameter of 3.75 inches and is often used for directional lighting in recessed cans. The "R" stands for "reflector" while "30" is a measurement in eighths of an inch for the diameter of the bulb.
Electric lights work by passing an electric current through a filament or gas inside the bulb. The current causes the filament to heat up and emit light, or the gas to produce light through a process called electroluminescence. The light is then emitted out of the bulb through a transparent covering.
A typical incandescent lightbulb contains a tungsten filament that emits light when an electric current passes through it. The bulb is filled with an inert gas like argon or nitrogen to prevent the filament from oxidizing. LEDs contain a semiconductor chip that emits light when an electric current passes through it.
Why is argon used to prevent the evaporation of tungsten in electric light bulbs?
Argon is used in light bulbs because it is an inert gas that does not react with other elements. This prevents the tungsten filament from reacting with oxygen in the air, which helps to prolong the life of the filament. Additionally, argon helps to maintain a stable environment inside the bulb, allowing the filament to operate at higher temperatures without burning out.
How does the color of the light bulbs determine the amount of energy of the electromagnetic waves?
The "color" is really a wavelength. The electromagnetic spectrum determines this, every different wavelength has a corresponding color. Red being the longest, and violet being the shortest. This electromagnetic spectrum also determines whether it is visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and so on.
Why are light bulbs made of glass and argon gas?
Light bulbs are typically made of glass because it is transparent, heat resistant, and able to withstand the high temperatures generated by the filament. Argon gas is used to fill the bulb because it helps prevent the filament from evaporating, thereby extending the life of the bulb by reducing oxidation.
How would you make a bulb fainter?
You can make a bulb fainter by reducing the voltage supplied to it. This can be done by using a dimmer switch or by using a resistor in the circuit to decrease the voltage. Be cautious when altering electrical components to prevent damage to the bulb or circuit.
How does air and saltwater make a light bulb turn on?
When a metal such as magnesium is placed in saltwater, it creates a chemical reaction that produces electricity. When air is introduced, it helps to further enhance the reaction. This flow of electricity can power a light bulb connected to the circuit.
Why is a coiled filament better than a staright filament?
A coiled filament in a light bulb is more energy-efficient than a straight filament because it allows for a longer filament to fit in a smaller space, providing more surface area for light emission. This leads to increased brightness while using the same amount of energy compared to a straight filament.
What is the thing called that a bulb goes into?
The thing that a bulb goes into is called a socket. It is the part that connects the bulb to the electrical supply in lighting fixtures.
What materials you need to turn a light bulb on?
To turn a light bulb on, you typically need electricity, a power source such as a battery or electrical outlet, and a switch or mechanism to complete the circuit. Simply screwing the light bulb into a lamp or fixture connected to a power source and flipping the switch will allow the electricity to flow and illuminate the bulb.
