The things you wish somebody had explained properly.

Clear, engaging explanations of the things around us, from the everyday to the extraordinary.

An annotated light bulb A cartoon light bulb with labels: glass bulb, tungsten filament, inert gas, support wires and screw base. Glass bulb Keeps the air out. Inert gas Nothing here to burn. Filament Glows at about 2,500°C. Support wires Carry the current in. Screw base Connects to the supply. …but why doesn't it just melt?

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