Hõõglampis

Hõõglampis, also known as an incandescent light bulb, is an electric light that produces light by means of a wire filament heated to a high temperature by an electric current passing through it. The filament is usually made of tungsten, which has a very high melting point. The filament is enclosed in a glass bulb filled with an inert gas, such as argon or nitrogen, to prevent the filament from oxidizing and burning out too quickly.

The first practical incandescent lamp was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879. Edison's lamp used a carbonized bamboo filament, which lasted for over 1200 hours. Over time, the filament material and the design of the bulb have been improved, leading to more efficient and longer-lasting lamps.

Hõõglampis work by heating the filament until it glows, a process known as incandescence. This process is not very efficient, as most of the energy consumed is converted into heat rather than light. This is why traditional incandescent bulbs are being phased out in many countries in favor of more energy-efficient lighting technologies such as LED and CFL bulbs.

Despite their inefficiency, hõõglampis have been widely used for over a century due to their low cost, simple design, and warm, pleasant light quality. They are still used in some applications where their specific characteristics are desired, such as in decorative lighting or in certain scientific instruments. The development of the hõõglampis was a significant technological advancement that revolutionized lighting and played a crucial role in the electrification of homes and cities.