Incandescent Lamps and Water

If it's on, and hot, the glass will probably shatter, the argon will be released and the tungsten filament will probably break. If the fuse doesn't blow then expect an electric shock too. Don't try it with a sodium vapour lamp as there will probably be a fire, molten sodium flung around and some caustic fumes given off as well so stand well back.

If you want to play around with this then Wilkinsons does cheap light bulbs.

The light will operate just fine, assuming you put it in the water before you turn it on, and assuming the water doesn't short out the contacts. I think it would be best to put as much of the glass in the water as possible, otherwise you might have too great of a temperature gradient from the submerged part to the dry part, and the glass may crack.

If the glass does crack, you will immediately short out your electrical system. A better approach is to put the light bulb in a waterproof fixture, and then put that under water.

Better still.

Leave the light out of the water and immerse yourself!

Why is everybody trying to do weird stuff this week?

Is it the full moon?

Some may ask why, I ask why not?

Yes it is.

"If we dip an incandescent lamp in water......"

Sounds like someone's trying to get their 5 year old little brother to do some experimental work.

Someone curious enough to ask but wise enough to ask before doing . My kind of guy!

If the bulb is cold (not switched on or has been off for some time), Nothing will probably happen (note the word "probably". I haven't tried this myself). The bulb will run cooler and the water will get a little warmer.

If the bulb is hot, putting it in the water may cause it to burst, spraying dangerous shards of glass and possibly causing electrocution.

After all is said, I would advise against experimenting on this. If it's just for curiousity, it should be done in as safe a manner as possible. Use a long, non-conductive pole to dip the bulb, do it behind the safety of a shield or barrier, etc.

Just like Mythbusters.

Now thats a TV show!!!

Just put it in a paper bag and hit it with a hammer, save the water for when your thirsty.

Outdoor lamps work wet or dry (like the ones you see on Christmas trees), I think they have a plastic coating on the glass.

Probably it will float...

Lets not forget the possibility of electrocution. Mike

If you are really that curious as to what will happen? try doing it on a low voltage lamp, say a 12 or 24 volt AC or DC lamp. If you use a refrigerator lamp, nothing will happen of course. This is designed to light up in a cold temperature, but you have to use a watertight socket if you want to immerse the bulb down deeper.

Not given the charateristics of the lamp, I would generally agree with #2 and #10.

If the lamp is like 24-volt or lower, then of course there is no real shock hazard.