Comparing Light Bulbs
Description
Too many greenhouse gas emissions are collecting in our earth’s atmosphere and are causing our climate to change. People at any age can help by using less energy. In this exercise, students will use a light to demonstrate the difference between being energy-efficient and energy-wasteful, and learn what energy efficiency means.
Time Required: 30 minutes
Language: English
Teachers Notes
Background Information and complete instructions are located in the attached lesson plan.
Instructions for Students
Possible Hypotheses:
- Incandescent and CFL bulbs do/do not produce the same amount of heat.
- Incandescent and CFL bulbs do/do not produce the same amount of light.
- One bulb is/is not more energy efficient than the other.
Procedure:
1. Have an adult place the CFL bulb in the lamp and turn it on. Observe the light that is produced. (Or, place the CFL bulb and incandescent in a watt meter comparator, in order to switch back and forth between the bulbs and show the
meter speed up and slow down).
2. Hold a thermometer six inches above the bulb for one minute and record the temperature. Turn off the lamp and let the bulb cool.
3. Have an adult remove the CFL bulb, place the incandescent bulb in the lamp and turn it on. Observe the light that is produced.
4. Hold a thermometer six inches above the bulb for one minute and record the temperature.
Analysis and Conclusion:
- Could you tell any difference in how much light the two bulbs produced?
- Did one bulb produce more heat than the other?
- Which bulb is more energy efficient?
- Which bulb will prevent more greenhouse gas emissions in our air?
Other Tools
-Compact fluorescent bulb -Incandescent bulb -Thermometer
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Administration:Edit Resource
Source:US Department of Energy
Resource Type:Lesson Plan
Subject(s):Mathematics, English / Language Arts, Technology and Skilled Trades, Social Studies,
Topic:Energy Use and Conservation, Renewable Energy,
Level:Primary / ElementaryIntermediate / Middle
Grade: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12