Q&A for How to Make a Light Bulb

Yes, but the copper wires must be thin so as to have greater resistance for more heat. But know that copper is not resistant to heat, so it may melt off after a while, provided there is sufficient current.

DO NOT connect your wires to an electrical socket -- there is far more energy than you can safely handle. Hook this bulb up only to batteries.

A bottle is a great resource to use instead of a jar!

Yes. You can use some soldering wire instead. You can find it at most electronic or hardware stores.

No. The air in the jar will not prevent your light bulb from working.

Yes.

If you are wondering whether or not you can make it without a jar, the answer is no. The graphite filament must be completely cut off from any oxygen. If you try it without a jar, it will burn clean through. If you are wondering whether or not you can make it without the clips, the answer is yes. As long as it creates a complete circuit, it will work.

No. With more power it will be brighter, but harder to handle safely. Stick to the batteries.

You could pretty much use any metal that has a high melting point.

You can try using a colored jar or bottle. That's how colored LED bulbs work. The light produced is of a definite color but the cover you use determines the final color it gives.

Yes. It will evaporate as you use it, and eventually burst because it becomes too thin.

Yes. As long as the transparent container can cut off the oxygen supply inside the bulb, it can probably be used. The reason for this is that if extra oxygen is able to get into the bulb, the graphite will burn out extremely quickly. With a container, the graphite will last longer because it will use up the oxygen inside the container. It will still burn at first, but once the oxygen is gone, the graphite will glow, not burn.

As long you don't care about safety, you could totally do it. Make sure the generator terminal voltage is within a range suitable enough to send current through the wire to glow without fusing it.

It can be as easy as saying your name, or it could be as hard as seeing your eyes when your back is facing a mirror. It depends on the kind of light bulb, your knowledge on light bulbs, your patience and other minor skills.

Yes, as tin is a conductor to electricity. However, its volumetric resistivity is significantly higher than that of copper.

Ten to fifteen minutes. It takes longer the more batteries you use, so to shorten the time, you can use one 9-volt battery

It varies, it depends on how far apart the touching ends of the wires are, how many batteries you use, how big the jar is, and how much air is coming underneath the jar, from outside of it.

Yes, but it will run through your batteries quickly. It is definitely not very good for a long term light.

Not necessarily. While a thin graphite piece will start to glow faster than a thick one, the brightness depends on the current being applied.

Yes, it will be less bright, like LEDs. The more batteries, the brighter it will be.