MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Precisely what energy(ies) are being converted to light in a light bulb?

Date: Sun Aug 7 06:17:53 2005
Posted by Dana
Grade level: teacher/prof School: Fong Chia University
City: Taichung State/Province: Taichung Country: Taiwan
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1123413473.Ph
Message:

Heat and light energy coming from a bulb in an electrical circuit has to be
coming from another form(s) of energy -- energy transfer.  Is the original
energy in the circuit [which is converted to heat and light] A) the kinetic
energy of the slow-moving electrons in the circuit, or B) the electromagnetic
energy speeding through the circuit?  I have read everything on this site, and
explanations of the "simple" bulb lighting process are divided between the
'friction of electron current' notion and the 'transfer of electromagnetic
energy' notion.  Or...are these essentially the same thing, the same thing in
that 'friction' of the electron current is actually the 'rubbing' of the
electrostatic fields of the electrons against other fields in the metal, and
thus is also an energy transfer from electrostatic energy to heat and light
energy.  I have asked a few electronic engineers about this, and they do not
know the answer.  The answer seems to rest on very fundamental concepts of
'things' that we know exist but cannot readily put words to.  ...If I can
understand deeply what makes a light bulb work, then I can understand better why
electrical current harms the body.  Thanks a lot!


Re: Precisely what energy(ies) are being converted to light in a light bulb?

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