this is a chemsity question
2007-10-31 10:27:50 · 3 answers · asked by skycap756 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The filament is made of tungsten, which has a very high melting point. The filament is enclosed in the bulb, which contains the inert gas argon at a low pressure. As there is no oxygen in the bulb it cannot catch fire, and as the argon is at low pressure, there is not enough of it to overheat the bulb by convection.
2007-10-31 10:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by Michael B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The filament has a very high electrical resistance. I can't think of the element the bulb is made of, but it has to do with the fact that it has a high electrical resistance, and a high melting point, as it is a metal. I want to say its Tungsten, but I'm not sure. So the high melting point, and the high resistance to electricity make it hot without melting or catching fire.
2007-10-31 17:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Michael B has got it nailed :)
2007-10-31 17:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by Rygar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋