You obtain a 100. W lightbulb and a 50. W light bulb. Instead of connecting them in the normal way, you devise a circuit that places them in series across normal household voltage. Which statement is correct?
A) The 50-W bulb glows more brightly than the 100-W bulb.
B) The 100-W bulb glows brighter than the 50-W bulb.
C) Both bulbs glow at the same reduced brightness.
D) Both bulbs glow at the same increased brightness.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When two bulbs are connected in series, they experience the same current. The power rating (W) of a bulb is based on its resistance and the power it is designed to dissipate under normal operating conditions (at a specific voltage). In a series circuit, the bulb with the higher resistance (the 100-W bulb, which is designed for higher power at the same voltage, thus having higher resistance) will dissipate less power than it is rated for when the voltage is shared. The 50-W bulb, having lower resistance, will actually dissipate more power relative to its design in this configuration, causing it to glow more brightly than the 100-W bulb.

You Obtain a 100