How the Light Bulb Works
Thomas Edison's wonderful invention, the light bulb, uses an intricate physics design to operate. All light bulbs---incandescent, fluorescent and energy saving bulbs---work in a similar manner, involving heated metal and a gas.
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Fluorescent Bulbs
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Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury vapors in phosphorous-coated glass tubes with metal contacts and tungsten filaments at both ends. When electricity is applied to the contacts, it heats the filaments, causing them to glow and exchange electrons. The moving electrons collide with the mercury atoms, making them glow and emit ultra-violet (UV) light.
Incandescent Bulbs
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Incandescent bulbs contain one coiled tungsten filament, fastened to two wire leads connected to a metal base. Oxygen causes filaments to burn out quickly, and a vacuum makes them burn too hotly, so incandescent bulbs are filled with argon, which dissipates the heat when the bulb is turned on.
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Energy-Saving Bulbs
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Energy-saving bulbs are pocket-sized versions of fluorescent light bulbs with a thread base that screws into a socket, like incandescent bulbs. They provide as much light as a 60- or 100-watt incandescent bulb, yet use only 9 or 11 watts per hour.
Halogen Bulbs
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Halogen bulbs heat up a tungsten filament, like incandescent bulbs. Once heated, floating tungsten particles bond with the halogen gas, making it glow. The tungsten particles are re-deposited on the filament when cooled.
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References
- Cornell Center for Materials Research: Fluorescent Light Mystery Solved at Last
- Energy Saving Secrets: How Do Energy Saving Light Bulbs Work?
- Second Change Garage: How Automobile Light Bulbs Work
- In Depth Info: Incandescent Light Bulbs---How They Work
- Lighting Fixtures and Ceiling Fans: How Halogen Light Bulbs Work
Resources
- Photo Credit clear light bulbs image by green308 from Fotolia.com
