Why does a 60W bulb glow brighter than a 100W bulb in a series?











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In my physics class I have this problem that shows two lightbulbs, one 60W and one 100W in series, connected to a 120V battery.
The problems are:



Which bulb is brighter? (A: 60W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 60W bulb. (A: 23.4W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 100W bulb. (A: 14.1W)



Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs? I followed one workthrough online where you first find R for both using P = (V^2)/R and then use I = V/R to get a current of 0.3125A. The power dissipated is then calculated using P = I^2R and you get the above answers. However, doesn't that assume the voltage drop between the lightbulbs is 120V in both cases, and isn't that wrong?



I tried getting it another way where I said P1 = IV1, P2 = IV2, and V1+V2=120(Volts). I solved the voltage drop on the 60W lightbulb to be 45V and 75V on the 100W one. Then, current is solved to be 4/3A which lets us solve the resistance for each one as 33.75Ohms and 56.25Ohms. Then using the formula P = V^2/R, the original wattages are found as the answer. Why is it right to assume 120V for both bulbs?



Diagram










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  • 1




    How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 21:33










  • @Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:43






  • 1




    You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 22:47










  • @Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:51










  • Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
    – Carson
    Dec 1 at 0:47















up vote
1
down vote

favorite
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In my physics class I have this problem that shows two lightbulbs, one 60W and one 100W in series, connected to a 120V battery.
The problems are:



Which bulb is brighter? (A: 60W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 60W bulb. (A: 23.4W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 100W bulb. (A: 14.1W)



Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs? I followed one workthrough online where you first find R for both using P = (V^2)/R and then use I = V/R to get a current of 0.3125A. The power dissipated is then calculated using P = I^2R and you get the above answers. However, doesn't that assume the voltage drop between the lightbulbs is 120V in both cases, and isn't that wrong?



I tried getting it another way where I said P1 = IV1, P2 = IV2, and V1+V2=120(Volts). I solved the voltage drop on the 60W lightbulb to be 45V and 75V on the 100W one. Then, current is solved to be 4/3A which lets us solve the resistance for each one as 33.75Ohms and 56.25Ohms. Then using the formula P = V^2/R, the original wattages are found as the answer. Why is it right to assume 120V for both bulbs?



Diagram










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  • 1




    How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 21:33










  • @Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:43






  • 1




    You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 22:47










  • @Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:51










  • Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
    – Carson
    Dec 1 at 0:47













up vote
1
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In my physics class I have this problem that shows two lightbulbs, one 60W and one 100W in series, connected to a 120V battery.
The problems are:



Which bulb is brighter? (A: 60W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 60W bulb. (A: 23.4W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 100W bulb. (A: 14.1W)



Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs? I followed one workthrough online where you first find R for both using P = (V^2)/R and then use I = V/R to get a current of 0.3125A. The power dissipated is then calculated using P = I^2R and you get the above answers. However, doesn't that assume the voltage drop between the lightbulbs is 120V in both cases, and isn't that wrong?



I tried getting it another way where I said P1 = IV1, P2 = IV2, and V1+V2=120(Volts). I solved the voltage drop on the 60W lightbulb to be 45V and 75V on the 100W one. Then, current is solved to be 4/3A which lets us solve the resistance for each one as 33.75Ohms and 56.25Ohms. Then using the formula P = V^2/R, the original wattages are found as the answer. Why is it right to assume 120V for both bulbs?



Diagram










share|cite|improve this question















In my physics class I have this problem that shows two lightbulbs, one 60W and one 100W in series, connected to a 120V battery.
The problems are:



Which bulb is brighter? (A: 60W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 60W bulb. (A: 23.4W)



Calculate the power dissipated by the 100W bulb. (A: 14.1W)



Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs? I followed one workthrough online where you first find R for both using P = (V^2)/R and then use I = V/R to get a current of 0.3125A. The power dissipated is then calculated using P = I^2R and you get the above answers. However, doesn't that assume the voltage drop between the lightbulbs is 120V in both cases, and isn't that wrong?



I tried getting it another way where I said P1 = IV1, P2 = IV2, and V1+V2=120(Volts). I solved the voltage drop on the 60W lightbulb to be 45V and 75V on the 100W one. Then, current is solved to be 4/3A which lets us solve the resistance for each one as 33.75Ohms and 56.25Ohms. Then using the formula P = V^2/R, the original wattages are found as the answer. Why is it right to assume 120V for both bulbs?



Diagram







electric-current electrical-resistance voltage power






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edited Nov 30 at 22:40

























asked Nov 30 at 20:46









Carson

1245




1245








  • 1




    How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 21:33










  • @Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:43






  • 1




    You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 22:47










  • @Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:51










  • Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
    – Carson
    Dec 1 at 0:47














  • 1




    How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 21:33










  • @Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:43






  • 1




    You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 22:47










  • @Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:51










  • Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
    – Carson
    Dec 1 at 0:47








1




1




How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
– Jasper
Nov 30 at 21:33




How did you get to the voltage drops of 45 and 75 V?
– Jasper
Nov 30 at 21:33












@Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
– Carson
Nov 30 at 22:43




@Jasper P1 = IV1 and P2 = IV2 and V1+V2 = 120, so P1/I + P2/I = 120. 60/I + 100/I = 120, I = 160/120 or 4/3 A. From that, 60 = (4/3)V1, V1 = 45V, 120 - 45 = 75V for the other one.
– Carson
Nov 30 at 22:43




1




1




You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
– Jasper
Nov 30 at 22:47




You can't substitute 60W for P1 because the bulb is not operating at nominal power. Same for P2.
– Jasper
Nov 30 at 22:47












@Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
– Carson
Nov 30 at 22:51




@Jasper Ahh thanks. So that's why the first method works? Because the resistance is (fairly) constant and then you can add up both resistances and calculate the current of the circuit?
– Carson
Nov 30 at 22:51












Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
– Carson
Dec 1 at 0:47




Why the downvotes? Tell me what to fix. Also, if someone wants to edit it to make the formulas look good that would be nice. I don't know LaTeX.
– Carson
Dec 1 at 0:47










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Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs?




The power rating of a bulb is calculated assuming that the bulb will be used in a normal lighting circuit, that is, it will be in a parallel circuit, receiving the full domestic supply voltage, which I assume is 120V in your country.



A 60W bulb doesn't "know" it's supposed to pull 60W. It has a (fairly) constant resistance (once it has warmed up) which determines how much current it will draw when provided with a given voltage.



So for your series circuit you need to use 120V to calculate each bulb's resistance in ohms from its power rating. Then you can work out the total series resistance, and hence the total current for the curcuit, as you have done.






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  • 3




    I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 21:31






  • 1




    @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
    – PM 2Ring
    Nov 30 at 22:14


















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Answering the question from the title directly:



The bulb with lower power rating has a higher resistance (at operating temperature, but we have to assume it to be approximately constant), because at nominal voltage, less current must flow through it compared to the bulb with higher rating.



In a series circuit, the current is equal at all points.



The following assumes constant $R$ for each bulb.



The voltage drop at each bulb can be calculated using $V = RI$ (assuming constant $R$ despite changing temperature of the filament). Higher resistance leads to higer voltage drop at the bulb with lower wattage.



For 60W @ 120V we need 0.5A of current and with $R=V/I$ we get $R_{60W} = 240Omega$. The other bulb has $R_{100W}= 144Omega$.



Power is calculated using $P=VI$, and since $I$ is constant for both bulbs, higher resistance leads to higer power, more brightness.



The current is $I=V / (R_{60W} + R_{100W}) = 120V / 384 Omega$






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  • So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
    – Carson
    Nov 30 at 22:47










  • Yes, I extended the answer.
    – Jasper
    Nov 30 at 23:05


















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One first assume that the resistance of the bulbs does no depend on the voltage/current/temperature.



The power of a bulb $P= frac {V^2}{R}$ where $V$ is the potential difference across the bulb and $R$ is the resistance of the bulb.



For the same working voltage $V$ because $P_{rm 100W}> P_{rm 60W}$ then $R_{rm 100W}< R_{rm 60W}$.



The power $P=I^2R$ where $I$ is the current and for bulbs connected in series because the current is the same through both bulbs the bulb with the larger resistance (60W bulb) will dissipate more power ie be brighter, than the bulb with the smaller resistance (100W bulb).






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    A 60W bulb means a bulb that when connected to it's rated supply voltage draws 60W. Unless otherwise stated one assumes that the rated supply voltage is the normal supply voltage in your country.



    Your teacher is assuming that the bulbs act like resistors. If we make that assumption then we can solve your question in two steps.




    1. Use the power ratings of the bulb and it's normal operating voltage to calculate the resistances.

    2. Use the resistances calculated in the first step to calculate the behaviour of your actual circuit.


    The first part of the question can be answered without actually doing the calculation.
    The lower rated bulb will have a higher resistance which means it will take a larger proportion of the voltage in the series circuit which means it will receive more power. For the latter part you have to actually work out the sums.



    In practice the teachers assumption is highly inaccurate, but like with many textbook problems we have to run with it because we haven't been given any better information. In reality the resistance of an incandescent bulb increases singificantly with temperature. When you first turn a bulb on it draws far more current than it does after warming up.



    What does this mean for our problem? it means two things.




    1. The total power delivered to the two bulbs will be higher than the nieve calculations would suggest because the bulbs are cooler than they would be in normal operation.

    2. The ratio of power delivered will be more extreme than the nieve calculations would suggest because the higher resistance (lower power rating) bulb will heat up less than the lower resistance (higher power rating) bulb.






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      Normally lightbulbs are wired in parallel so that they all get the same voltage. In this configuration, the lightbulb with the highest resistance will dissipate the least amount of power ($V^2/R$). Putting two lightbulbs in series is non-standard. In such a configuration, the current is common and the voltage drops are different. Thus the power is given by $I^2R$, and the lightbulb with the higher resistance will dissipate the most power.



      Details



      A 60 W lightbulb has a resistance of 240 $Omega$. You can get this value by solving the for $R$ in the equation $P = V^2/R$, where $P$ is the nominal power of 60 Watts, and $V$ is the nominal voltage of 120 Volts. And, using the same approach, you can find the resistance for the 100 Watt light bulb, which is 144 $Omega$. As we expect, the lower Wattage lightbulb has a higher resistance. The total resistance of the circuit, when you put the two light bulbs in series is $R_{60} + R_{100} = 384 Omega$ (I'm assuming no internal impedance of the power supply). The power rating on the bulbs when wired in series will not be the nominal powers of 60 and 100 Watts but will be a function of current and the total resistance of the circuit. The current in the circuit is given by $I = V/R_{total}$, which is 0.3125 Amps. Next, if we assume that the brightness is a function of power only, then the power dissipated across the 60 W light bulb is $I^2R = 25.3906$ W, and the power dissipated across the 100 W lightbulb is 14.0625 W.






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        5 Answers
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        5 Answers
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        up vote
        6
        down vote



        accepted











        Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs?




        The power rating of a bulb is calculated assuming that the bulb will be used in a normal lighting circuit, that is, it will be in a parallel circuit, receiving the full domestic supply voltage, which I assume is 120V in your country.



        A 60W bulb doesn't "know" it's supposed to pull 60W. It has a (fairly) constant resistance (once it has warmed up) which determines how much current it will draw when provided with a given voltage.



        So for your series circuit you need to use 120V to calculate each bulb's resistance in ohms from its power rating. Then you can work out the total series resistance, and hence the total current for the curcuit, as you have done.






        share|cite|improve this answer



















        • 3




          I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 21:31






        • 1




          @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
          – PM 2Ring
          Nov 30 at 22:14















        up vote
        6
        down vote



        accepted











        Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs?




        The power rating of a bulb is calculated assuming that the bulb will be used in a normal lighting circuit, that is, it will be in a parallel circuit, receiving the full domestic supply voltage, which I assume is 120V in your country.



        A 60W bulb doesn't "know" it's supposed to pull 60W. It has a (fairly) constant resistance (once it has warmed up) which determines how much current it will draw when provided with a given voltage.



        So for your series circuit you need to use 120V to calculate each bulb's resistance in ohms from its power rating. Then you can work out the total series resistance, and hence the total current for the curcuit, as you have done.






        share|cite|improve this answer



















        • 3




          I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 21:31






        • 1




          @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
          – PM 2Ring
          Nov 30 at 22:14













        up vote
        6
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        6
        down vote



        accepted







        Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs?




        The power rating of a bulb is calculated assuming that the bulb will be used in a normal lighting circuit, that is, it will be in a parallel circuit, receiving the full domestic supply voltage, which I assume is 120V in your country.



        A 60W bulb doesn't "know" it's supposed to pull 60W. It has a (fairly) constant resistance (once it has warmed up) which determines how much current it will draw when provided with a given voltage.



        So for your series circuit you need to use 120V to calculate each bulb's resistance in ohms from its power rating. Then you can work out the total series resistance, and hence the total current for the curcuit, as you have done.






        share|cite|improve this answer















        Why is the power dissipated not simply the wattages of the bulbs?




        The power rating of a bulb is calculated assuming that the bulb will be used in a normal lighting circuit, that is, it will be in a parallel circuit, receiving the full domestic supply voltage, which I assume is 120V in your country.



        A 60W bulb doesn't "know" it's supposed to pull 60W. It has a (fairly) constant resistance (once it has warmed up) which determines how much current it will draw when provided with a given voltage.



        So for your series circuit you need to use 120V to calculate each bulb's resistance in ohms from its power rating. Then you can work out the total series resistance, and hence the total current for the curcuit, as you have done.







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited Dec 1 at 13:12

























        answered Nov 30 at 21:14









        PM 2Ring

        2,0592715




        2,0592715








        • 3




          I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 21:31






        • 1




          @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
          – PM 2Ring
          Nov 30 at 22:14














        • 3




          I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 21:31






        • 1




          @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
          – PM 2Ring
          Nov 30 at 22:14








        3




        3




        I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
        – Jasper
        Nov 30 at 21:31




        I doubt that the resistance is fairly constant, but it's the only way to tackle this question.
        – Jasper
        Nov 30 at 21:31




        1




        1




        @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
        – PM 2Ring
        Nov 30 at 22:14




        @Jasper Once the bulb warms up, the resistance should be fairly close to its nominal operating resistance, assuming the voltage isn't radically different from the bulb's nominal supply voltage.
        – PM 2Ring
        Nov 30 at 22:14










        up vote
        4
        down vote













        Answering the question from the title directly:



        The bulb with lower power rating has a higher resistance (at operating temperature, but we have to assume it to be approximately constant), because at nominal voltage, less current must flow through it compared to the bulb with higher rating.



        In a series circuit, the current is equal at all points.



        The following assumes constant $R$ for each bulb.



        The voltage drop at each bulb can be calculated using $V = RI$ (assuming constant $R$ despite changing temperature of the filament). Higher resistance leads to higer voltage drop at the bulb with lower wattage.



        For 60W @ 120V we need 0.5A of current and with $R=V/I$ we get $R_{60W} = 240Omega$. The other bulb has $R_{100W}= 144Omega$.



        Power is calculated using $P=VI$, and since $I$ is constant for both bulbs, higher resistance leads to higer power, more brightness.



        The current is $I=V / (R_{60W} + R_{100W}) = 120V / 384 Omega$






        share|cite|improve this answer























        • So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
          – Carson
          Nov 30 at 22:47










        • Yes, I extended the answer.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 23:05















        up vote
        4
        down vote













        Answering the question from the title directly:



        The bulb with lower power rating has a higher resistance (at operating temperature, but we have to assume it to be approximately constant), because at nominal voltage, less current must flow through it compared to the bulb with higher rating.



        In a series circuit, the current is equal at all points.



        The following assumes constant $R$ for each bulb.



        The voltage drop at each bulb can be calculated using $V = RI$ (assuming constant $R$ despite changing temperature of the filament). Higher resistance leads to higer voltage drop at the bulb with lower wattage.



        For 60W @ 120V we need 0.5A of current and with $R=V/I$ we get $R_{60W} = 240Omega$. The other bulb has $R_{100W}= 144Omega$.



        Power is calculated using $P=VI$, and since $I$ is constant for both bulbs, higher resistance leads to higer power, more brightness.



        The current is $I=V / (R_{60W} + R_{100W}) = 120V / 384 Omega$






        share|cite|improve this answer























        • So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
          – Carson
          Nov 30 at 22:47










        • Yes, I extended the answer.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 23:05













        up vote
        4
        down vote










        up vote
        4
        down vote









        Answering the question from the title directly:



        The bulb with lower power rating has a higher resistance (at operating temperature, but we have to assume it to be approximately constant), because at nominal voltage, less current must flow through it compared to the bulb with higher rating.



        In a series circuit, the current is equal at all points.



        The following assumes constant $R$ for each bulb.



        The voltage drop at each bulb can be calculated using $V = RI$ (assuming constant $R$ despite changing temperature of the filament). Higher resistance leads to higer voltage drop at the bulb with lower wattage.



        For 60W @ 120V we need 0.5A of current and with $R=V/I$ we get $R_{60W} = 240Omega$. The other bulb has $R_{100W}= 144Omega$.



        Power is calculated using $P=VI$, and since $I$ is constant for both bulbs, higher resistance leads to higer power, more brightness.



        The current is $I=V / (R_{60W} + R_{100W}) = 120V / 384 Omega$






        share|cite|improve this answer














        Answering the question from the title directly:



        The bulb with lower power rating has a higher resistance (at operating temperature, but we have to assume it to be approximately constant), because at nominal voltage, less current must flow through it compared to the bulb with higher rating.



        In a series circuit, the current is equal at all points.



        The following assumes constant $R$ for each bulb.



        The voltage drop at each bulb can be calculated using $V = RI$ (assuming constant $R$ despite changing temperature of the filament). Higher resistance leads to higer voltage drop at the bulb with lower wattage.



        For 60W @ 120V we need 0.5A of current and with $R=V/I$ we get $R_{60W} = 240Omega$. The other bulb has $R_{100W}= 144Omega$.



        Power is calculated using $P=VI$, and since $I$ is constant for both bulbs, higher resistance leads to higer power, more brightness.



        The current is $I=V / (R_{60W} + R_{100W}) = 120V / 384 Omega$







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited Nov 30 at 23:05

























        answered Nov 30 at 21:44









        Jasper

        7391414




        7391414












        • So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
          – Carson
          Nov 30 at 22:47










        • Yes, I extended the answer.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 23:05


















        • So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
          – Carson
          Nov 30 at 22:47










        • Yes, I extended the answer.
          – Jasper
          Nov 30 at 23:05
















        So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
        – Carson
        Nov 30 at 22:47




        So since we can assume a constant R and I will be constant, V must be constant also? And the R and I are calculated using P = V^2/R and I = V/R?
        – Carson
        Nov 30 at 22:47












        Yes, I extended the answer.
        – Jasper
        Nov 30 at 23:05




        Yes, I extended the answer.
        – Jasper
        Nov 30 at 23:05










        up vote
        1
        down vote













        One first assume that the resistance of the bulbs does no depend on the voltage/current/temperature.



        The power of a bulb $P= frac {V^2}{R}$ where $V$ is the potential difference across the bulb and $R$ is the resistance of the bulb.



        For the same working voltage $V$ because $P_{rm 100W}> P_{rm 60W}$ then $R_{rm 100W}< R_{rm 60W}$.



        The power $P=I^2R$ where $I$ is the current and for bulbs connected in series because the current is the same through both bulbs the bulb with the larger resistance (60W bulb) will dissipate more power ie be brighter, than the bulb with the smaller resistance (100W bulb).






        share|cite|improve this answer

























          up vote
          1
          down vote













          One first assume that the resistance of the bulbs does no depend on the voltage/current/temperature.



          The power of a bulb $P= frac {V^2}{R}$ where $V$ is the potential difference across the bulb and $R$ is the resistance of the bulb.



          For the same working voltage $V$ because $P_{rm 100W}> P_{rm 60W}$ then $R_{rm 100W}< R_{rm 60W}$.



          The power $P=I^2R$ where $I$ is the current and for bulbs connected in series because the current is the same through both bulbs the bulb with the larger resistance (60W bulb) will dissipate more power ie be brighter, than the bulb with the smaller resistance (100W bulb).






          share|cite|improve this answer























            up vote
            1
            down vote










            up vote
            1
            down vote









            One first assume that the resistance of the bulbs does no depend on the voltage/current/temperature.



            The power of a bulb $P= frac {V^2}{R}$ where $V$ is the potential difference across the bulb and $R$ is the resistance of the bulb.



            For the same working voltage $V$ because $P_{rm 100W}> P_{rm 60W}$ then $R_{rm 100W}< R_{rm 60W}$.



            The power $P=I^2R$ where $I$ is the current and for bulbs connected in series because the current is the same through both bulbs the bulb with the larger resistance (60W bulb) will dissipate more power ie be brighter, than the bulb with the smaller resistance (100W bulb).






            share|cite|improve this answer












            One first assume that the resistance of the bulbs does no depend on the voltage/current/temperature.



            The power of a bulb $P= frac {V^2}{R}$ where $V$ is the potential difference across the bulb and $R$ is the resistance of the bulb.



            For the same working voltage $V$ because $P_{rm 100W}> P_{rm 60W}$ then $R_{rm 100W}< R_{rm 60W}$.



            The power $P=I^2R$ where $I$ is the current and for bulbs connected in series because the current is the same through both bulbs the bulb with the larger resistance (60W bulb) will dissipate more power ie be brighter, than the bulb with the smaller resistance (100W bulb).







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Dec 1 at 0:43









            Farcher

            46.8k33693




            46.8k33693






















                up vote
                0
                down vote













                A 60W bulb means a bulb that when connected to it's rated supply voltage draws 60W. Unless otherwise stated one assumes that the rated supply voltage is the normal supply voltage in your country.



                Your teacher is assuming that the bulbs act like resistors. If we make that assumption then we can solve your question in two steps.




                1. Use the power ratings of the bulb and it's normal operating voltage to calculate the resistances.

                2. Use the resistances calculated in the first step to calculate the behaviour of your actual circuit.


                The first part of the question can be answered without actually doing the calculation.
                The lower rated bulb will have a higher resistance which means it will take a larger proportion of the voltage in the series circuit which means it will receive more power. For the latter part you have to actually work out the sums.



                In practice the teachers assumption is highly inaccurate, but like with many textbook problems we have to run with it because we haven't been given any better information. In reality the resistance of an incandescent bulb increases singificantly with temperature. When you first turn a bulb on it draws far more current than it does after warming up.



                What does this mean for our problem? it means two things.




                1. The total power delivered to the two bulbs will be higher than the nieve calculations would suggest because the bulbs are cooler than they would be in normal operation.

                2. The ratio of power delivered will be more extreme than the nieve calculations would suggest because the higher resistance (lower power rating) bulb will heat up less than the lower resistance (higher power rating) bulb.






                share|cite|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  A 60W bulb means a bulb that when connected to it's rated supply voltage draws 60W. Unless otherwise stated one assumes that the rated supply voltage is the normal supply voltage in your country.



                  Your teacher is assuming that the bulbs act like resistors. If we make that assumption then we can solve your question in two steps.




                  1. Use the power ratings of the bulb and it's normal operating voltage to calculate the resistances.

                  2. Use the resistances calculated in the first step to calculate the behaviour of your actual circuit.


                  The first part of the question can be answered without actually doing the calculation.
                  The lower rated bulb will have a higher resistance which means it will take a larger proportion of the voltage in the series circuit which means it will receive more power. For the latter part you have to actually work out the sums.



                  In practice the teachers assumption is highly inaccurate, but like with many textbook problems we have to run with it because we haven't been given any better information. In reality the resistance of an incandescent bulb increases singificantly with temperature. When you first turn a bulb on it draws far more current than it does after warming up.



                  What does this mean for our problem? it means two things.




                  1. The total power delivered to the two bulbs will be higher than the nieve calculations would suggest because the bulbs are cooler than they would be in normal operation.

                  2. The ratio of power delivered will be more extreme than the nieve calculations would suggest because the higher resistance (lower power rating) bulb will heat up less than the lower resistance (higher power rating) bulb.






                  share|cite|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    A 60W bulb means a bulb that when connected to it's rated supply voltage draws 60W. Unless otherwise stated one assumes that the rated supply voltage is the normal supply voltage in your country.



                    Your teacher is assuming that the bulbs act like resistors. If we make that assumption then we can solve your question in two steps.




                    1. Use the power ratings of the bulb and it's normal operating voltage to calculate the resistances.

                    2. Use the resistances calculated in the first step to calculate the behaviour of your actual circuit.


                    The first part of the question can be answered without actually doing the calculation.
                    The lower rated bulb will have a higher resistance which means it will take a larger proportion of the voltage in the series circuit which means it will receive more power. For the latter part you have to actually work out the sums.



                    In practice the teachers assumption is highly inaccurate, but like with many textbook problems we have to run with it because we haven't been given any better information. In reality the resistance of an incandescent bulb increases singificantly with temperature. When you first turn a bulb on it draws far more current than it does after warming up.



                    What does this mean for our problem? it means two things.




                    1. The total power delivered to the two bulbs will be higher than the nieve calculations would suggest because the bulbs are cooler than they would be in normal operation.

                    2. The ratio of power delivered will be more extreme than the nieve calculations would suggest because the higher resistance (lower power rating) bulb will heat up less than the lower resistance (higher power rating) bulb.






                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    A 60W bulb means a bulb that when connected to it's rated supply voltage draws 60W. Unless otherwise stated one assumes that the rated supply voltage is the normal supply voltage in your country.



                    Your teacher is assuming that the bulbs act like resistors. If we make that assumption then we can solve your question in two steps.




                    1. Use the power ratings of the bulb and it's normal operating voltage to calculate the resistances.

                    2. Use the resistances calculated in the first step to calculate the behaviour of your actual circuit.


                    The first part of the question can be answered without actually doing the calculation.
                    The lower rated bulb will have a higher resistance which means it will take a larger proportion of the voltage in the series circuit which means it will receive more power. For the latter part you have to actually work out the sums.



                    In practice the teachers assumption is highly inaccurate, but like with many textbook problems we have to run with it because we haven't been given any better information. In reality the resistance of an incandescent bulb increases singificantly with temperature. When you first turn a bulb on it draws far more current than it does after warming up.



                    What does this mean for our problem? it means two things.




                    1. The total power delivered to the two bulbs will be higher than the nieve calculations would suggest because the bulbs are cooler than they would be in normal operation.

                    2. The ratio of power delivered will be more extreme than the nieve calculations would suggest because the higher resistance (lower power rating) bulb will heat up less than the lower resistance (higher power rating) bulb.







                    share|cite|improve this answer












                    share|cite|improve this answer



                    share|cite|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 30 at 23:25









                    Peter Green

                    809412




                    809412






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        Normally lightbulbs are wired in parallel so that they all get the same voltage. In this configuration, the lightbulb with the highest resistance will dissipate the least amount of power ($V^2/R$). Putting two lightbulbs in series is non-standard. In such a configuration, the current is common and the voltage drops are different. Thus the power is given by $I^2R$, and the lightbulb with the higher resistance will dissipate the most power.



                        Details



                        A 60 W lightbulb has a resistance of 240 $Omega$. You can get this value by solving the for $R$ in the equation $P = V^2/R$, where $P$ is the nominal power of 60 Watts, and $V$ is the nominal voltage of 120 Volts. And, using the same approach, you can find the resistance for the 100 Watt light bulb, which is 144 $Omega$. As we expect, the lower Wattage lightbulb has a higher resistance. The total resistance of the circuit, when you put the two light bulbs in series is $R_{60} + R_{100} = 384 Omega$ (I'm assuming no internal impedance of the power supply). The power rating on the bulbs when wired in series will not be the nominal powers of 60 and 100 Watts but will be a function of current and the total resistance of the circuit. The current in the circuit is given by $I = V/R_{total}$, which is 0.3125 Amps. Next, if we assume that the brightness is a function of power only, then the power dissipated across the 60 W light bulb is $I^2R = 25.3906$ W, and the power dissipated across the 100 W lightbulb is 14.0625 W.






                        share|cite|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          Normally lightbulbs are wired in parallel so that they all get the same voltage. In this configuration, the lightbulb with the highest resistance will dissipate the least amount of power ($V^2/R$). Putting two lightbulbs in series is non-standard. In such a configuration, the current is common and the voltage drops are different. Thus the power is given by $I^2R$, and the lightbulb with the higher resistance will dissipate the most power.



                          Details



                          A 60 W lightbulb has a resistance of 240 $Omega$. You can get this value by solving the for $R$ in the equation $P = V^2/R$, where $P$ is the nominal power of 60 Watts, and $V$ is the nominal voltage of 120 Volts. And, using the same approach, you can find the resistance for the 100 Watt light bulb, which is 144 $Omega$. As we expect, the lower Wattage lightbulb has a higher resistance. The total resistance of the circuit, when you put the two light bulbs in series is $R_{60} + R_{100} = 384 Omega$ (I'm assuming no internal impedance of the power supply). The power rating on the bulbs when wired in series will not be the nominal powers of 60 and 100 Watts but will be a function of current and the total resistance of the circuit. The current in the circuit is given by $I = V/R_{total}$, which is 0.3125 Amps. Next, if we assume that the brightness is a function of power only, then the power dissipated across the 60 W light bulb is $I^2R = 25.3906$ W, and the power dissipated across the 100 W lightbulb is 14.0625 W.






                          share|cite|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            Normally lightbulbs are wired in parallel so that they all get the same voltage. In this configuration, the lightbulb with the highest resistance will dissipate the least amount of power ($V^2/R$). Putting two lightbulbs in series is non-standard. In such a configuration, the current is common and the voltage drops are different. Thus the power is given by $I^2R$, and the lightbulb with the higher resistance will dissipate the most power.



                            Details



                            A 60 W lightbulb has a resistance of 240 $Omega$. You can get this value by solving the for $R$ in the equation $P = V^2/R$, where $P$ is the nominal power of 60 Watts, and $V$ is the nominal voltage of 120 Volts. And, using the same approach, you can find the resistance for the 100 Watt light bulb, which is 144 $Omega$. As we expect, the lower Wattage lightbulb has a higher resistance. The total resistance of the circuit, when you put the two light bulbs in series is $R_{60} + R_{100} = 384 Omega$ (I'm assuming no internal impedance of the power supply). The power rating on the bulbs when wired in series will not be the nominal powers of 60 and 100 Watts but will be a function of current and the total resistance of the circuit. The current in the circuit is given by $I = V/R_{total}$, which is 0.3125 Amps. Next, if we assume that the brightness is a function of power only, then the power dissipated across the 60 W light bulb is $I^2R = 25.3906$ W, and the power dissipated across the 100 W lightbulb is 14.0625 W.






                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            Normally lightbulbs are wired in parallel so that they all get the same voltage. In this configuration, the lightbulb with the highest resistance will dissipate the least amount of power ($V^2/R$). Putting two lightbulbs in series is non-standard. In such a configuration, the current is common and the voltage drops are different. Thus the power is given by $I^2R$, and the lightbulb with the higher resistance will dissipate the most power.



                            Details



                            A 60 W lightbulb has a resistance of 240 $Omega$. You can get this value by solving the for $R$ in the equation $P = V^2/R$, where $P$ is the nominal power of 60 Watts, and $V$ is the nominal voltage of 120 Volts. And, using the same approach, you can find the resistance for the 100 Watt light bulb, which is 144 $Omega$. As we expect, the lower Wattage lightbulb has a higher resistance. The total resistance of the circuit, when you put the two light bulbs in series is $R_{60} + R_{100} = 384 Omega$ (I'm assuming no internal impedance of the power supply). The power rating on the bulbs when wired in series will not be the nominal powers of 60 and 100 Watts but will be a function of current and the total resistance of the circuit. The current in the circuit is given by $I = V/R_{total}$, which is 0.3125 Amps. Next, if we assume that the brightness is a function of power only, then the power dissipated across the 60 W light bulb is $I^2R = 25.3906$ W, and the power dissipated across the 100 W lightbulb is 14.0625 W.







                            share|cite|improve this answer












                            share|cite|improve this answer



                            share|cite|improve this answer










                            answered Nov 30 at 23:38









                            njspeer

                            4374




                            4374






























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