Electronics

Electric Bulb

What is Electric Bulb?

An electric bulb refers to an electric lamp which consists of a translucent or transparent glass housing. It is also known as a light bulb. This simple device has been used for the purpose of illumination for more than a century.

Electric bulb refers to a device which produces light on the application of electricity. Such a bulb is certainly powerful enough to lighten up a dark place.

electric bulb

Types of Electric bulb

Electric bulbs can be of various types. Below are the various types of electric bulbs which are in usage:

Incandescent electric bulb- These bulbs turn electricity into light by sending the electric current through filament. Furthermore, filament refers to a thin wire. Moreover, electric filaments comprise mostly of the metal tungsten.

Most noteworthy, it is the resistance of the filament which actually heats the bulb up. Consequently, when the filament gets hot enough, it starts glowing and produces light.

Fluorescent Light Bulb- These electric bulbs are quite efficient by their nature. Furthermore, they give only a quarter of the amount of heat of an incandescent bulb. Moreover, fluorescent bulbs last longer in comparison to the incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent bulb comprises of a glass tube and the argon gas fills it up along with a little bit of mercury. When an individual turns on this bulb, the cathode heats up.

As a result of this heat, the cathode sends out the heat. Consequently, the electrons hit the argon gas and the mercury.

The argon gas creates a plasma which allows the electrons to move around efficiently. Furthermore, when electrons the mercury atom, the molecule gets into a state of immense energy. However, this energetic state lasts for a short duration, and ultimately the energy gets released which releases a photon.

A phosphor coating gets accumulated on the bulb wall. Finally, when the phosphor releases energy, it certainly lets out a photon. Hence, one is able to see the photon and light is made.

Electric Bulb Safety

One must handle light bulbs very carefully. This is because they can certainly break very easily. Furthermore, its breakable parts are sharp enough and as a result, they can puncture the skin.

There is the presence of chemicals on some light bulbs. Furthermore, these chemicals –are like mercury which is without a doubt highly toxic to humans.

On the breaking of an electric bulb, the mercury inside escapes as vapour or fine droplets. Above all, this mercury can settle into furniture and other objects.

This residue can cause mercury poisoning due to its toxicity when one inhales it or touches it. As a result, the handling of light bulbs requires certain reliable safety measures in addition to proper clean-up and disposal by adults.

Solved Question for You

Q1. Which of the following statements is not true when it comes to electric bulbs?

A. It refers to an electric lamp which consists of a translucent or transparent glass housing
B. Fluorescent bulb turn electricity into light by sending the electric current through a filament
C. It refers to a device which produces light on the application of electricity
D. There is the presence of mercury on many electric bulbs

A1. The correct option is B., which is “fluorescent bulb turn electricity into light by sending the electric current through filament.” This is because the correct statement is “incandescent bulbs turn electricity into light by sending the electric current through filament.”

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