What is the power produced by each of the two 100-watt, 120-volt light bulbs connected in series with a 120-volt supply?

To determine the power produced by each of the two 100-watt, 120-volt light bulbs connected in series with a 120-volt supply, it’s important to first understand how bulbs behave in a series circuit.

When two identical bulbs are connected in series, the total voltage across the bulbs (120 volts) gets divided equally between them, assuming they have the same resistance. With each bulb rated at 120 volts and designed to operate at 100 watts, the effective resistance of each bulb can be calculated using the formula for power, which is:

[ P = \frac{V^2}{R} ]

Rearranging this gives us the resistance:

[ R = \frac{V^2}{P} ]

For one bulb:

[ R = \frac{(120 \text{ volts})^2}{100 \text{ watts}} = \frac{14400}{100} = 144 \text{ ohms} ]

When the two bulbs are in series, their resistances add up:

[ R_{total} = R_1 + R_2 = 144 + 144 = 288 \text{ ohms} ]

Now, the total current flowing through the series