Incandescent light bulbs typically consist of a filament wire inside a glass bulb filled with inert gas, such as argon or nitrogen. When electricity flows through the filament, it heats up and emits light. These bulbs tend to be inefficiency and have a shorter lifespan compared to compact light bulbs.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), on the other hand, use an electric current to excite mercury vapor, which produces ultraviolet light that then interacts with a phosphor coating inside the bulb to create visible light. CFLs are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, although they may take a moment to warm up and reach full brightness. They also contain a small amount of mercury vapor, making disposal slightly more complicated than incandescent bulbs.
how are incandescent and compact light bulbs different
3 answers
which one gets hot during use
Incandescent light bulbs tend to get hot during use because most of the energy they consume is converted into heat rather than visible light. This is why they can sometimes be too hot to touch right after being turned off. In contrast, compact fluorescent light bulbs produce much less heat during use, as they are more energy-efficient and convert more of the electricity they consume into visible light. This makes CFLs a safer and cooler option for use in enclosed fixtures or areas where overheating could be a concern.