The Filament of an Electric Bulb is made of?

The filament of an electric bulb is made of: 

A. Carbon

B. Aluminium

C. Tungsten

D. Nickel

Answer: (C) Tungsten

Explanation

The bulb transforms electrical energy into light and heat energy. The bulb filaments need to withstand high temperatures and pressure. And also, it is essential to ensure that it does not alter the filament structure due to heating effects. The answer is chosen with the element with a high melting point and a good conductor of electricity.

Filament

A filament is a silk-like thin element that is present in the incandescent light bulb. It has a glass casing with two thin wires from the bulb’s base. These thin wires are called a filament. When electric energy passes into the filament, the bulb glows. It ensures optimal light production, and the filament is made of coiled wires. Thus, the filament needs an element with good electrical conductivity. The electric bulb filaments are made of Tungsten.

Tungsten has superior electrical conductivity and acts as an excellent thermal conductor. Tungsten has the most elevated melting point of all the metals in pure form. Thus, irrespective of the high heating effects, Tungsten helps to maintain its condition. In contrast, Tungsten has the lowest thermal expansion of all the metals in pure form. Therefore, it is very malleable and can be drawn into the wire with the highest tensile strength of all pure metals. Hence, Tungsten can withstand enormous stress before breaking even though the temperature changes.

Thus, it is used in the filament to produce light.