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The first thing you have to look at for this is the equation for resistance in an object which is R = rho(L/A) where rho is a constant and L is length and A is cross sectional area. Given this equation it should seem that a filament has a high resistance and should not be bright, but the reason it is bright is because it is so small the electrons are packed together so closely that when you send a current through the filament the electrons hit each other at such a high rate that the energy transferred from these impacts is emitted in the form of bright light.

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Q: Why is a light bulbs filament long and thin?
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Related questions

Why is the filament used in bulbs thin and long?

The filament in light bulbs is thin and long to increase its resistance, which in turn causes it to heat up and produce light when electricity passes through it. The length and thinness of the filament also help to ensure an even distribution of heat, preventing it from melting too quickly.


How does electricity work in light bulbs?

The wiring inside the light bulb is very thin (the filament) and glows when heated. The current through the thin wire heats up the filament wire so that it will glow. See the related link 'How Light Bulbs Work'.


Is filament an adjective?

No, it is not. Filament is a noun meaning 1) a thin stalk in plant reproductive organs, or 2) a thin wire as is found in incandescent light bulbs.


What are carbon filaments for light bulbs?

Modern light bulb filaments are usually Tungsten not Carbon. However early bulbs used things like silk coated with Carbon. Filament means thin thread. The bulbs are filled with inert gas like Argon to stop the filament from burning up with oxygen. Arc lamps use Carbon rods though.


What the filament shaped?

Filaments are long, thin threads or fibers typically made of materials like glass or metal. They are commonly found in light bulbs and 3D printers, where they are heated to produce light or shapes, respectively.


What element are used in light bulbs as a filaments?

Tungsten is commonly used as a filament in light bulbs due to its high melting point and resistance to heat. It can be shaped into a thin wire that glows when an electric current passes through it, producing light.


Why is a light bulb's filament very thin?

A light bulb's filament is thin to increase its resistance, which produces heat and light when an electric current passes through it. The thin filament also allows for more surface area to emit light efficiently.


What deos light bulbs loo a bit fragile?

Light bulbs are fragile because they are made of thin glass that can easily shatter upon impact. The filament inside the bulb is also delicate and can break if handled roughly. To prevent damage, it's important to handle light bulbs with care.


What thin wire inside a light bulb is a?

Its a coiled tungsten filament.


What causes light bulbs to go smokey?

This is actually really cool. The tungsten filament evaporates and condenses on the bulb wall, leaving a thin tungsten film.


What is the thin coil of wire inside a light bulb called?

If you are talking about an incandescent light bulb then its called a filament. It is thin so that it has a high level of resistance. Current going through the filament causes it to heat up and give off EM radiation in the spectrum of visible light.


What is light bulb filament?

A light bulb filament is a thin wire, typically made of tungsten, that is heated by an electrical current to produce light. As the filament heats up, it glows and produces light, making it a critical component in an incandescent light bulb.