UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Coil and Light Bulb in Liquid Nitrogen

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 60

Coil and Light Bulb in Liquid Nitrogen

ID # 60

Description:

A light bulb is connected to a coil and a battery. When the coil is at room temperature, the light bulb will not light up because there is too much resistance in the coil. If the coil is cooled in liquid nitrogen, the resistance of the coil is reduced and the light bulb lights up.

Picture of Coil and Light Bulb in Liquid Nitrogen

Physics Concept:

Electricity and Magnetism
Resistance & Conductivity
Resistivity and Temperature

The demonstration takes about 3 minutes to perform.