Question

A 60-w incandescent bulb and a 13.3-watt compact fluorescent light are both plugged into a 110-volt household circuit and lit. which bulb has the greater resistance?

(a) neither, since they are connected across the same potential difference.

(b) the 60-w bulb, because it draws more current.

(c) the 13.3-w bulb, because it uses less power

(d) the 13.3-w bulb, because it is more efficient.

Answer 1

The c. 13.3-watt compact fluorescent light has a greater resistance than the 60-watt incandescent bulb because it uses less power while both operate at the same voltage of 110 volts.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which bulb has the greater resistance between a 60-watt incandescent bulb and a 13.3-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) both plugged into a 110-volt circuit, we use the relationship between power (P), voltage (V), and resistance (R). This relationship is given by the formula P = V^2 / R, so resistance can be found by rearranging the formula to R = V^2 / P.

For the 60-watt incandescent bulb: R = 110^2 / 60 Ohms.

For the 13.3-watt CFL: R = 110^2 / 13.3 Ohms.

Comparing the resistances calculated, the 13.3-watt CFL has a higher resistance because it uses less power while both operate at the same voltage. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) the 13.3-w bulb, because it uses less power.

Efficiency and the potential difference are irrelevant to the direct comparison of resistance in this context.