Light Bulb Filament Scaling · USAPhO 2011 #A3

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

A light bulb has a solid cylindrical filament of length LL and radius aa, and consumes power PP. You are to design a new light bulb, using a cylindrical filament of the same material, operating at the same voltage, and emitting the same spectrum of light, which will consume power nPnP. What are the length and radius of the new filament? Assume that the temperature of the filament is approximately uniform across its cross-section; the filament doesn't emit light from the ends; and energy loss due to convection is minimal.

Browse the problem library