Understanding the Science Behind Light Bulbs

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ghost803
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Current Light
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the operational principles of incandescent light bulbs, specifically how electrical current interacts with the tungsten filament. The current heats the filament, leading to thermal radiation rather than electron transitions. Additionally, the filament exhibits self-healing properties as tungsten atoms migrate from hotter to cooler areas, maintaining its integrity. This process involves complex interactions of thermal dynamics and material science rather than simple electron excitation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical current and resistance
  • Basic knowledge of thermal radiation principles
  • Familiarity with tungsten properties and behavior
  • Awareness of atomic structure and electron behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the thermal radiation mechanisms in incandescent bulbs
  • Explore the self-healing properties of tungsten filaments
  • Learn about the differences between incandescent and LED lighting technologies
  • Investigate the chemistry involved in filament degradation and maintenance
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the science of lighting technology and material properties.

Ghost803
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
How does the light bulb work exactly? Does the current that does through the tungstern, or whatever material is used, collide with the elections in the resistor and push then up to a higher energy state? And when the electrons naturally fall back down to their ground state, the energy is released in the from of photons?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In an incandescent bulb, the electrical current heats the filament. The thermal light given off is due to a variety of processes, but electron transistion are not generally one of them- the energies are much higher than those present in vibrational and rotational transitions. there's also a lot of chemistry involved, including the fact that the filament 'self heals' as W atoms are boiled off from some locations and migrate to hotter (thinner) parts of the filament.
 
Ghost803 said:
How does the light bulb work exactly? Does the current that does through the tungstern, or whatever material is used, collide with the elections in the resistor and push then up to a higher energy state? And when the electrons naturally fall back down to their ground state, the energy is released in the from of photons?

Please note that there have been several threads here that have dealt with the same question. Read this, for example:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=304369

Zz.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Energy Flow From Battery to the Light Bulb
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
Undergrad Understanding dissipation of energy in a resistor through the Drude model
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Graduate How a solid body emits a lower frequency photon than absorbed
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Why does current travel at speed of light rather than speed of sound?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Current, voltage : brightness of bulb in parallel or series
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
High School A question of timing in a light bulb
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad Electric circuit, current flowing due to battery
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Understanding the Relationship Between Power, Voltage, Current, and Resistance
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
7K
Undergrad How incandescent light bulbs create light
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Using Interference Principles to Increase the Efficiency of Solar Panels
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K