Written Communications
29 June 2009
*Which is better Incandescent or Fluorescent*?
When asked who invented the light bulb, the average person would say Thomas Edison; however, contrary to common belief, Edison did not invent the incandescent light bulb. He merely improved upon a fifty-year-old idea. He is given credit for the light bulb simply because he had the funds to commercialize it. Since Edison’s time, there have been many changes in lighting, including the invention of fluorescent light bulbs. Both incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs are available today. Although they both provide light, they differ in their uses and cost. The following paper describes some of the advantages and disadvantages of both.
An incandescent light bulb works by heating a small filament of tungsten, which then gives off heat. Some of the heat is in the form of light. A fluorescent light bulb produces light via an electric discharge in mercury vapor. In fact, a fluorescent light bulb tries not to give off heat. Sunlight and incandescent light are very similar. Since the sun has been around for a longtime, human eyes are accustomed to it; therefore, human eyes prefer incandescent light.
Incandescent lights and fluorescent lights are available in an array of shapes and sizes. Incandescent lights are available in very small sizes and fluorescent lights are available in long, tubular shapes. Both are available in small, tubular bulbs and the popular A-shaped bulb. Many light fixtures are capable of holding either an incandescent or a fluorescent light bulb.
Incandescent lights are great for places where the lights are constantly being turned on and off and for areas where not a lot of light is needed. Examples are a closet or a refrigerator. It does not hurt an incandescent to be turned on and off; therefore, whenever one leaves a room he should turn the light off if it is an incandescent. A fluorescent is best in areas that need to be well lit and where the...