A filament lamp, commonly known as an incandescent light bulb, is a device used to produce light through the process of incandescence. It contains a thin wire filament, usually made of tungsten, that is enclosed within a glass bulb filled with an inert gas or vacuum.
When electrical current passes through the filament, it heats up to a high temperature and emits visible light. Filament lamps are characterised by their warm light and ability to work on both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) systems.
While they were once prevalent, they are now less common due to their low energy efficiency compared to other modern lighting technologies like LED and fluorescent lamps.
Understanding how filament lamps operate helps illustrate concepts of electrical resistance and energy transfer, which are key elements in the GCSE Physics curriculum.
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