What process occurs when electrical energy is transformed in a light bulb?

When electrical energy is transformed in a light bulb, it is converted into heat and light energy. This transformation occurs because the electric current passes through the filament or LED components of the bulb. As the current flows, it encounters resistance, causing the filament to heat up. This heating effect not only produces light but also generates heat as a byproduct of the energy conversion.

The light emitted is a result of the filament reaching high temperatures, which causes it to glow. In the case of LED bulbs, the process involves electroluminescence, where electrons recombine with holes within the material, releasing energy in the form of photons, which we perceive as light.

Other options do not accurately describe the transformation occurring in a light bulb. Generating wave energy is unrelated to the function of a light bulb, as it does not produce energy in a wave form. Storing energy for later use is a function of batteries or capacitors, not light bulbs. Cooling the surrounding air does not apply, as light bulbs primarily emit heat rather than cooling effects. Thus, converting electrical energy to heat and light energy is the key process that occurs in a light bulb.