What is the resistance of an incandescent lamp rated to produce 60 watts of power when connected to a 120 volt circuit?

To determine the resistance of the incandescent lamp, we can use Ohm's Law and the formula for electrical power. The formula for electrical power (P) in terms of voltage (V) and resistance (R) is given by:

[ P = \frac{V^2}{R} ]

In this scenario, the lamp produces 60 watts of power when connected to a 120 volt circuit. Rearranging the formula to solve for resistance gives us:

[ R = \frac{V^2}{P} ]

Substituting the known values:

[ R = \frac{(120 \text{ volts})^2}{60 \text{ watts}} ]

Calculating this:

[ R = \frac{14400}{60} = 240 \text{ ohms} ]

This calculation shows that the resistance of the lamp is 240 ohms when it operates under these specific conditions. Understanding the relationship between voltage, power, and resistance is crucial for anyone working with electrical circuits, as it assists in correctly sizing components and ensuring safety and efficiency in electrical systems.