ELECTRICAL FILAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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An electrical filament is a thin wire, usually made of metal such as tungsten, that is used to produce light when an electrical current passes through it. It is a crucial component found in various devices such as incandescent light bulbs, vacuum tubes, and some types of electronic displays.
The purpose of an electrical filament is to emit light by becoming heated to incandescence when an electric current is applied. This phenomenon is known as incandescence, which occurs due to the filament's high resistance to electric current flow. As the current passes through the filament, it encounters significant resistance, causing the wire to heat up. As a result, the wire begins to emit visible light, creating illumination.
In incandescent light bulbs, the electrical filament is enclosed within a glass envelope to protect it from oxygen, which could cause it to burn out quickly in the air. The filament is often coiled or wound in a specific shape to maximize its surface area, thus increasing the light output.
Vacuum tubes and certain types of electronic displays, such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), also rely on electrical filaments. These devices use the filament to facilitate the emission and control of electrons. Within vacuum tubes, the filament serves as a cathode that emits electrons, whereas in CRTs, the filament heats a cathode that emits electron beams.
In summary, an electrical filament is a slender wire used to produce light or facilitate the emission of electrons. It plays a crucial role in incandescent light bulbs, vacuum tubes, and electronic displays, enabling illumination or electron flow when an electric current is applied.
Etymology of ELECTRICAL FILAMENT
The word "electrical" is derived from the Latin word "electricus", which means "of amber" or "like amber". The term was first used by the ancient Greeks, who discovered that rubbing amber against fur produced an electrical charge.
The term "filament" has Latin origins as well, derived from the word "filum", meaning "thread" or "fiber".
When combined, "electrical filament" refers to a thread or fiber that carries an electric current, typically used in electric light bulbs. The word "filament" emphasizes the slender and thread-like nature of the conductor, while "electrical" denotes its association with electricity.
