Lightbulbs contain which mineral?

Lightbulbs contain which mineral?

• A. Copper
• B. Silver
• C. Tungsten
• D. Nickel

Answer: (C)

Lightbulbs use tungsten for the filament because it can glow hot enough to emit visible light without melting. Tungsten has an exceptionally high melting point and very low vapor pressure, so a thin tungsten wire can be heated to the right temperature and last a long time. Copper would soften or melt under those temperatures, silver is too expensive and would evaporate at incandescent heat, and nickel, while heat-resistant, doesn’t perform as well as tungsten for durable, long‑lasting filaments. That combination of properties makes tungsten the best fit for the filament in traditional bulbs.

Lightbulbs use tungsten for the filament because it can glow hot enough to emit visible light without melting. Tungsten has an exceptionally high melting point and very low vapor pressure, so a thin tungsten wire can be heated to the right temperature and last a long time. Copper would soften or melt under those temperatures, silver is too expensive and would evaporate at incandescent heat, and nickel, while heat-resistant, doesn’t perform as well as tungsten for durable, long‑lasting filaments. That combination of properties makes tungsten the best fit for the filament in traditional bulbs.