QUESTION

Medium

Environment & Ecology

Prelims 2011

What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp?

  1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semiconductor material.
  2. The average lifespan of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp.
  3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct. CFLs produce light through the ionization of mercury vapor which, when it collides with the phosphor coating of the bulb, generates visible light. On the other hand, LED lamps produce light using semiconductor material.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The average lifespan of an LED lamp is much longer than that of a CFL. While the lifespan of a CFL is around 8,000-10,000 hours, an LED lamp can last up to 50,000 hours.

Statement 3 is correct. LED lamps are more energy-efficient compared to CFLs. Despite their higher initial cost, LED bulbs are more cost-effective in the long run due to their higher energy efficiency.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

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