Waste Heat
Grade Levels:
4-6
Question:
Does a high watt bulb produce more heat than a low watt bulb?
Does an incandescent bulb produce more heat than a fluorescent bulb?
Possible Hypotheses:
A high watt bulb does/does not produce more heat than a low watt bulb.
An incandescent bulb does/does not produce more heat than a fluorescent bulb.
Materials:
Lamp
Thermometer
25-watt incandescent bulb
100-watt incandescent bulb
Two fluorescent bulbs that produce lumens comparable to the incandescent bulbs
Procedure:
- Put a 25-watt incandescent bulb in the lamp and turn it on.
- Hold the thermometer six inches above the bulb for one minute and record the temperature. Turn off the lamp.
- Let the bulb cool, remove it, put in the 100-watt lightbulb,and turn it on. Repeat Step 2.
- Repeat the procedure with the fluorescent bulbs.
Analysis and Conclusion:
Is more heat produced when more light is produced?
Which lightbulbs are more energy efficient – incandescent or fluorescent?
Reprinted with the permission of the NEED Project. © 2008 National Energy Education Development Project - All Rights Reserved.
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