IB Prized Writing Sevenoaks School IB Prized Writing 2014 | Page 26

Robert Cinca - Physics Part Part 1: 1: Logical Logical Argument Argument Logical argument to find the functionality of the relationship between the final current Logical argument to find the functionality of the relationship between the final current and the surge current time: and the surge current time: For a filament bulb to emit light, the tungsten filament needs to be heated to a For a filament bulb to emit light, the tungsten filament needs to be heated to a sufficiently large temperature for it to glow white hot. sufficiently large temperature for it to glow white hot. The net energy, , required to raise the temperature of the filament to its equilibrium The net energy, , required to raise the temperature of the filament to its equilibrium temperature is related to for a fixed mass, , where is the specific heat temperature is related to for a fixed mass, , where is the specific heat capacity of tungsten and is the change in temperature. capacity of tungsten and is the change in temperature. The resistivity of tungsten varies with temperature and the data is taken from “Resistivity of The resistivity of tungsten varies with temperature and the data is taken from “Resistivity of Tungsten” (see appendix for resistivity values) 5 5 suggests: Tungsten” (see appendix for resistivity values) suggests: (as (as Then Then . . (where (where is much greater than ). is much greater than ). is the resistivity at room temperature). is the resistivity at room temperature). Now the energy required, , is in the order of the product of the final power input, , and Now the energy required, , is in the order of the product of the final power input, , and the surge current time, . the surge current time, . , The final power, , may be given by , The final power, , may be given by where is the final current and the final resistance at the equilibrium temperature. where is the final current and the final resistance at the equilibrium temperature. So the energy required, , is: So the energy required, , is: (as for a fixed length and cross-sectional area of wire) (as for a fixed length and cross-sectional area of wire) From above, as From above, as giving giving so so . . Now Now (where (where ) ) Experimentally . The range is due to the final temperatures of the bulb being Experimentally . The range is due to the final temperatures of the bulb being approximately between 2000K and 3000K 5 5 . approximately between 2000K and 3000K . Taking Taking ( ( ) ) (where (where is a constant) is a constant) 5 5 “Resistivity of Tungsten”, The Physics Factbook [Online][Date Accessed 13/06/13] URL: “Resistivity of Tungsten”, The Physics Factbook [Online][Date Accessed 13/06/13] URL: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2004/DeannaStewart.shtml (Elert, 2004) http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2004/DeannaStewart.shtml (Elert, 2004) 25 7 7