How Does the Brightness of a Light Bulb Depend on Its Resistance?

What determines the brightness of a light bulb?

The brightness of a light bulb is determined by its resistance and the current flowing through it. In this case, we will assume the resistor in the light bulb is ohmic.

How does changing the resistance of a light bulb affect its brightness?

If the resistance of the light bulb is decreased, what happens to the brightness?

  • A. The brightness increases
  • B. The brightness decreases
  • C. The brightness remains the same

Answer:

If the resistance of the light bulb is decreased, the current through the bulb will also decrease. As a result, the rate of energy emission by the light bulb (luminosity) will also decrease.

When the resistance of a light bulb is changed, it directly affects the current flowing through the bulb. A decrease in resistance leads to a decrease in current, causing the luminosity or brightness of the bulb to decrease as well.

This relationship between resistance and brightness is due to the fact that the resistance determines the current flow, which in turn determines the rate of energy emission. As a result, the brightness of the light bulb depends on its resistance in a non-linear way.

Therefore, it is important to consider the resistance of a light bulb when determining its brightness, as changing the resistance can have a significant impact on the luminosity of the bulb. Remember that even small changes in resistance can result in noticeable changes in brightness.

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