How does an incandescent light bulb produce light?

Question

David · Answer

Howstuffworks has a pretty thorough yet comprehensible explanation. I'd check that out.

daniela · Answer

thanks!

drwls · Answer

Any material that is not perfectly transparent will emit radiation. The radiation is emitted in a continuum and increases with temperature. It is due to the random thermal motion of electrons and nuclei within the material.

There is a much better explanation than mine at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_radiation