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Modelling and everyday object - A light bulb

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Shiva Mayer        Mcs1        23 November 2002

Modelling and everyday object: A light bulb

When examining a light bulb, one can describe the light bulb as a device that provides light when it is switched on from its power source. It is used when our natural source of light (the sun) happens to reduce its output. We as humans use it in order to see when it is dark.

The light bulb works by electricity flowing through the wire causing it to heat up. The heat makes it glow. It heats up because of resistance. As electricity passes through an object, the substance it is passing through tries to hold on to the electrons.It is as the electrons force through that some of the force present is absorbed and given off as heat.

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The glass shell being free of all oxygen and being sealed at all ends is vitial, as tungsten if comes in contact with oxygen causes it to egnite with disasterous concequences. The filament being of right thickness is also crucial otherwise the bulb will not work.  It can be said that the manufacturing of the light bulb has to be strictly controlled.

As regards to the design of the light bulb, it can be said that the light bulb has to be designed so that the filament burns out before the glass shell breaks or cracks. This means that various checks have to be conducted as part of development further illustrated through means of a statistical model.

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Can the light bulb be removed immediately after it has fused?

        A throw-away bulb is fairly cheap however, a energy saving bulb is more efficient. Can the two properties be combined in anyway in order to manufacture the end product sufficiently and cheaply as well as being launched on the market successfully?

        Modelling as regards to ergonomics should be carried out to investigate whether or not the design is practical?  Does it provide light efficiently and to its maximum capacity as regards to its design? Sizes and shapes of various components in the light bulb have to be considered, is halogen, neon lighting more efficient?          

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