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khizman
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As the electrons zip along through the filament, they are constantly bumping into the atoms that make up the filament. The energy of each impact vibrates an atom -- in other words, the current heats the atoms up. A thinner conductor heats up more easily than a thicker conductor because it is more resistant to the movement of electrons.
Bound electrons in the vibrating atoms may be boosted temporarily to a higher energy level. When they fall back to their normal levels, the electrons release the extra energy in the form of photons. Metal atoms release mostly infrared light photons, which are invisible to the human eye. But if they are heated to a high enough level -- around 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees C) in the case of a light bulb -- they will emit a good deal of visible light.
When electrons pass through a bulb, they collide with the atoms in the bulb's filament, causing the atoms to vibrate. This vibration produces heat, which in turn causes the filament to glow and produce light.
The filament in a bulb is typically made of a material with a high melting point, such as tungsten. When an electric current is passed through the filament, it heats up and emits light through a process called incandescence.
The filament in a bulb needs to be made of a material with a high melting point because it needs to be able to withstand the high temperatures created by the electric current passing through it. If the filament were made of a material with a lower melting point, it would melt and break, causing the bulb to fail.
The amount of heat and light produced by a bulb is directly proportional to the amount of electric current passing through it. This means that the higher the current, the more heat and light will be produced, and vice versa.
Yes, the heat and light produced by a bulb can be controlled by adjusting the amount of electric current passing through it. This can be done by using a dimmer switch or by using a different wattage bulb. Lowering the current will result in less heat and light being produced, while increasing the current will result in more heat and light.