Light bulbs work by passing an electric current through a filament or other materials that produce light. In the most common type of light bulb, the incandescent bulb, electricity flows through a thin tungsten filament, heating it to a high temperature. As the filament heats up, it begins to glow, emitting visible light. The bulb is filled with an inert gas, such as argon, to prevent the filament from burning up too quickly due to oxidation. The glass bulb also helps contain the heat, allowing the filament to reach the necessary temperature for light production.
In other types of bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the process works differently. CFLs use an electric current to excite mercury vapor inside the bulb, which then emits ultraviolet (UV) light. This UV light interacts with the phosphor coating inside the bulb, causing it to glow and produce visible light. LEDs, on the other hand, rely on semiconductor materials that emit light when an electric current passes through them. These alternatives are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs and have longer lifespans, making them a popular choice for modern lighting.
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