Question

Why do you think that incandescent light bulbs are less efficient than fluorescent bulbs?

Answer 1

@Schleifspur

Answer 2

well are they?

Answer 3

yes but in what ways other than it lasts longer

Answer 4

they want more than just it lasts longer and is cheaper

Answer 5

we should define 'efficiency' here. it's not cheaper to build the fluorescent light bulbs, that's for sure.

Answer 6

i know that
but it is cheaper in the long run because it won't need to be replaced as much as the regular light bulbs would need to be.

Answer 7

well that's true.

let's try on 'efficiency'. in general, I would think it means that there is less heat as byproduct while the lamp is glowing. right?

Answer 8

yes last time i checked

Answer 9

i am more into computers and cars not lightbulbs

Answer 10

but if the light bulb illuminates a room....then the heat also warms the room, which in most cases is a beneficial effect, right?

Answer 11

not always would the heat be benificial

Answer 12

beneficial*

Answer 13

well, in the rare case that it's a hot night, yeah. but in most cases...am I wrong here?

Answer 14

no i guess not. but in cali it is always hot where i am at lol

Answer 15

i like the Led's better since it don't do that like the others

Answer 16

okay. let's get back to the question. so the main difference between the two is tht the 'normal' lamp emitates more heat. that's to be expected, since the tungsten fiber works on ~2800°C, while the fluorescent bulb works on 1100°C (please double-check these values)

Answer 17

that's already the main point, I think. the heat difference comes from two physical facts:

- the tungsten fiber has a greater electrical resistance than the plasma in the fluorescent bulb, thus more energy is concerted into heat
- tungsten fiber needs a higher temperature to start glowing

Answer 18

thanks