Curated OER
Physical and Chemical Changes
Eighth graders view a PowerPoint presentation that assist them in distinguishing between physical and chemical changes. They compare their observations of demonstrations to a list of clues recognizing types of changes.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Thomas Edison's Patent Application for the Light Bulb
This resource includes a copy of the original diagram and application that Thomas Edison submitted for the electric light bulb. Along with the interactive pictures you can access a typed transcript, larger images, a downloadable .PDF...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Cost Benefit Analysis
This analysis activity allows learners to calculate electrical usage in home lighting, and create a cost-benefit analysis for cost and energy savings by replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs.
Next.cc
Next: Artificial Light
Multiple activities help students gain a better understanding of light bulbs and the many uses of artificial light. Click on the links provided for further exploration.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Light and Color: Sources of Visible Light
This site discusses primary lighting sources and gives information on the different properties and spectral characteristics of each. Also includes links to some interactive Java applets.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Edison Biography
Here is a very detailed biography of Thomas Edison ranging from his boyhood and his work as a telegrapher, moving on to his invention of the phonograph and incandescent light bulb, and finally, a description of his laboratories where he...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Artificial Light
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What artificial light is and five different types, and how each type produces visible light.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Lighting a Revolution
This website is part of a bigger exhibit exploring the history of invention. This looks at Edison's invention of the light bulb and many other electrical inventions from the following century.
Read Works
Read Works: Electricity & Energy the Light Bulb
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the invention and use of the light bulb. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Light Bulb
Learn about the early developments of the invention of the incandescent light bulb and Thomas Edison's development of the first practical light bulb.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring Light Intensity Using the Inverse Square Law
You've probably heard that compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. More of the electricity they use goes into producing light, and less into producing heat than with incandescent bulbs. How much more...
US Department of Energy
U.s. Dept. Of Energy: Comparing Light Bulbs [Pdf]
A guided activity for students to compare incandescent and CFL light bulbs observing the production of heat and light.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Outdoor Light Sources and Their Attractibility to Nocturnal Insects
A field investigation where students experiment with whether incandescent, fluorescent, or a no-light situation will attract the most nocturnal insects. Working in teams, students create a hypothesis and procedure to complete this field...
Great Idea Finder
Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer
An extensive biography of the life of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Find out about his primary claim to fame in the development of an incandescent light bulb, but be sure to read about his many patents, and his importance to...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 158: Lewis Latimer
A brief biography of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Read about his association with both Hiram Maxim and Thomas Edison in developing the incandescent light bulb. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1870 1879
The telephone and first practical incandescent light bulb are invented while the word "electron" enters the scientific lexicon.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Sources of Visible Light
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Definition of visible light and what incandescence, luminescence and illumination are and how they occur.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam Webster: Dictionary Illustration: Incandescent Lamp
Labeled illustration of the parts of an incandescent lightbulb.
Institute for Dynamic Educational Advancement
Web Exhibits: Causes of Color
Why are things colored? This site explores the 15 phenomena that create our colorful world. Learn how light is made, lost, and moved!
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute: Edison's Lightbulb: History of Science and Technology
The Franklin Institute features a biography of Thomas Edison and a complete description of the light bulb as well as an experiment.
Other
Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer
The biography of the fascinating African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. In addition to finding out about his development of the carbon filament for the incandescent lamp, you can read about his expertise in patent law, his association...
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Thomas Edison
This resource provides lesson plans and information about Thomas Edison and his inventions.
Rutgers University
Thomas Edison Papers: Latimer's Patents
Find a list of patents issued to African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer, to him individually or with another inventor. Clicking on the invention takes you a diagram of the invention as well as its description submitted to the U.S....
Rutgers University
Blueprint for Change: The Life and Times of Lewis H. Latimer
An extensive look at the inventor, Lewis Latimer, from the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University. Read essays about his life and inventions, the culture in Boston which encouraged his work, and his life outside his inventions. A...