Contents
Key Stage 1
Meaning
A light bulb is something that lights up when you switch it on.
Key Stage 2
Meaning
An electrical bulb is a circuit component that gives out light when electricity goes through it.
About Electrical Bulbs
- There are many different kinds of electrical bulb.
- The type of electrical bulb you will use in class is called a Filament Bulb. It has a thin piece of wire inside that glows when electricity passes through it.
- Electrical bulbs can get very hot so you shouldn't touch the glass.
An electrical bulb. | The symbol for an electrical bulb. |
Key Stage 3
Meaning
An electrical bulb is a circuit component that gives out light when electricity goes through it.
About Electrical Bulbs
- There are many different kinds of electrical bulb.
- The type of electrical bulb used in class is called a Filament Bulb. It has a thin piece of wire called a filament that becomes so hot when electricity passes through it that it begins to glow.
- Electrical bulbs can get very hot so you shouldn't touch the glass.
An electrical bulb. | The symbol for an electrical bulb. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
An electrical bulb is a circuit component that gives out light when electricity goes through it.
About Electrical Bulbs
- An electrical bulb usually refers to a Filament Bulb. However, there are other types.
- In a filament bulb electrical work is done to heat the filament to a high enough temperature that it glows in visible light, see black body radiation.
- The electrical current has a heating effect on the filament which increases its temperature. This causes the resistance to increase, so the bulb does not behave as an ohmic conductor.