Question

What would happen if air reached the glowing filament?​

Answer 1

The intense temperature makes the filament glow brightly. If oxygen were present the glowing hot filament would burn up.

Answer 2

If air were to reach a glowing filament, such as the filament in an incandescent light bulb, several things would occur:

1. Cooling: The presence of air would result in the cooling of the filament. Incandescent light bulbs rely on the filament reaching extremely high temperatures to produce light. The filament is usually made of tungsten, which has a very high melting point. When the filament is heated by an electric current, it emits visible light. However, if air were to come into contact with the filament, it would conduct heat away from the filament, causing it to cool down.

2. Oxidation: The presence of oxygen in the air would lead to oxidation of the filament. Oxidation is a chemical reaction where a substance combines with oxygen, and it often results in the degradation or corrosion of the material. In the case of a tungsten filament, oxidation would cause the filament to degrade over time, leading to a reduction in its lifespan.

3. Failure: The combination of cooling and oxidation would eventually lead to the failure of the filament. As the filament cools down, it would emit less light, and the oxidation process would further weaken the filament's structure. Eventually, the filament would become too weak to withstand the electrical current passing through it, resulting in a breakage or burnout of the filament.

In summary, if air were to reach a glowing filament, it would cause the filament to cool down, undergo oxidation, and ultimately lead to its failure. This is why incandescent light bulbs are designed with a vacuum or inert gas-filled envelope to prevent air from reaching the filament.