The 12th Power Law is a rule or formula that helps estimate how long a traditional light bulb (like the incandescent ones) will last based on the voltage it experiences. Light bulbs work by making a tiny wire (called a filament) really hot, and this heat produces light. However, as the wire gets hotter, it wears away faster. The power or voltage you provide to the bulb affects how hot this wire gets. The 12th Power Law focuses on this relationship. The law says that the lifespan of the bulb is inversely related to the 12th power of the ratio between the rated voltage (the voltage the manufacturer says is best for the bulb) and the actual voltage you provide.
What It Means: If you give the bulb a bit more voltage than it's designed for, its lifespan drops significantly. Conversely, if you use a bit less voltage, the bulb lasts longer. Practical Use: This rule is often applied to traditional bulbs, not LED bulbs. So, in simple terms, the 12th Power Law tells us that small changes in the voltage can have a big impact on how long a traditional light bulb will last. It's like saying the bulb is very sensitive to the amount of electrical "heat" it gets.