Bulb puzzle
Bulb puzzle is an interactive experiment in Circuit Builder, a free simulation from StudyFi Lab that runs right in your browser.
All bulbs are powered by the same battery. In series the same current flows through each bulb, so the one with the larger resistance takes more power (P = I²·R). In parallel each bulb has the same voltage, so the one with the smaller resistance glows brighter (P = U²/R). A bulb in the main branch carries the sum of the branch currents.
Try this: Guess which bulb will glow the brightest, press Reveal, then move on to the next puzzle.
Frequently asked questions
What does the “Bulb puzzle” experiment show?
All bulbs are powered by the same battery. In series the same current flows through each bulb, so the one with the larger resistance takes more power (P = I²·R). In parallel each bulb has the same voltage, so the one with the smaller resistance glows brighter (P = U²/R). A bulb in the main branch carries the sum of the branch currents.
How do I try “Bulb puzzle”?
Guess which bulb will glow the brightest, press Reveal, then move on to the next puzzle.
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