Mon Prof Augmenté
Bulb and Tube
Incandescent bulbs make light by heating a thin wire until it glows. Fluorescent and discharge lamps give more light for the same electricity and last longer.
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Age 14: open this week
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In the picture
- A coiled filament in a glass bulb: a thin wire heated until it glows orange.
- A long glass discharge tube: a lamp that glows white along its length.
- A spare coiled filament wire: the glowing part used in an incandescent bulb.
- A spare glass tube: the outer shape of a fluorescent or discharge lamp.
Examples
- A clear incandescent bulb in a desk lamp.
- A long fluorescent tube on a kitchen ceiling.
Key takeaways
- Incandescent bulbs turn much of their electricity into heat.
- Fluorescent and discharge lamps usually use less electricity for the same light and last longer.
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