Which has the greater electrical resistance, filament in a light bulb or a copper conducting wire? Explain how you know.
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To determine which has a greater electrical resistance between a filament in a light bulb and a copper conducting wire, we can rely on the principle that resistance is primarily determined by the material's properties.
The resistance of a material can be calculated using Ohm's Law, which states that resistance is equal to the ratio of voltage (V) applied across a component to the current (I) flowing through it, i.e., R = V/I. However, to compare the resistance, we can make certain generalizations based on the characteristics of the materials in question.
In this case, filaments in light bulbs are typically made of superheated tungsten. Tungsten is a highly resistive material and is known for its high melting point. Thus, it can be inferred that the filament in a light bulb will have higher resistance compared to a copper conducting wire.
On the other hand, copper is a highly conductive material due to its low resistivity. It is commonly used in electrical wiring and transmission because of its efficiency in carrying electric current. Copper has relatively lower resistance compared to other materials, including tungsten.
In summary, the filament in a light bulb will have a greater electrical resistance compared to a copper conducting wire due to the contrasting material properties of tungsten and copper.