Which type of load does a light bulb represent?

A light bulb is classified as a resistive load because it converts electrical energy directly into heat and light through resistance. When electrical current flows through the filament of the bulb, it encounters resistance, which causes it to heat up to the point of producing light. This process is consistent with the characteristics of resistive loads, which do not create phase shifts between voltage and current.

In contrast, inductive loads, such as motors or transformers, create magnetic fields and introduce a phase difference between current and voltage due to their inductance. Capacitive loads, like capacitors, store energy in an electric field and also cause a phase shift. A transformer load specifically refers to the load of a transformer, which is a device that transfers electrical energy between circuits through electromagnetic induction, and it is not directly representative of a common load like a light bulb.

Therefore, understanding that a light bulb functions purely based on its resistance to the electrical current explains why it is characterized as a resistive load, distinguishing it from other types of loads that interact with electrical energy differently.