How can I tell if the light in my refrigerator goes off or not when I close the door?

★ wanayoo — archive 1999 http://howstuffworks.com/question125.htm

Question of the Day

Sponsored by:
TeacherVision.com is a convenient and comprehensive resource designed for teachers by teachers. At http://teachervision.com you will find:

Organized Lesson Plans linked by curriculum area.
http://teachervision.com/lessonplans/
A FREE and EASY way to build a Class Website!
http://teachervision.com/webcreate/
What Works for teachers- or share what works for you!
http://teachervision.com/whatworks/
Trusted Internet Resources for educators.
http://teachervision.com/resources/

Q&A Archive
HSW keeps a complete archive of previously answered questions to help you find answers quickly. Please Click Here for a complete list of previously answered questions.
Asking Questions
If you would like to ask a question, you can click here.
Each weekday Marshall Brain answers questions submitted by the readers of How Stuff Works in the Question of the Day section of HSW. You can also view previously answered questions in the HSW Question Archive. Here is today's question!

Question

This will sound like a joke but it is not. How can I tell if the light in my refrigerator goes off or not when I close the door? My wife and I are having a big argument over this - please help us settle it!

Answer

HSW certainly would not want to stand in the way of marital harmony, so here are three ideas for answering this question:

Take a camcorder and turn it on so it is recording. Then put it in the refrigerator, close the door and open it again. You can rewind and watch the tape to see if the light is on or off.

If you want to be lower tech, take a camera with a self-timer and stick it in so it shoots the picture (no flash) while the door is closed.

If you want to be higher tech, you could install a web cam in your refrigerator and then you could watch it live on the Internet. With a little creative marketing you could probably swing a round on the talk shows and be making a 6-figure income next month...

Another idea would be to put a thermometer on the bulb and leave the door shut for 10 minutes. Reopen the door and then check the themometer immediately. If it is cold, then you know the bulb was off when the door was closed.

-----

Are you and your spouse arguing needlessly??? Send your questions to HSW!

Sponsored links for natural , home and health products:

healthshop.com- Nice selection of health products

eDiets- Personalized diet programs... Created from you personal profile.

Live Healthy. Live Smart. Learn How. VitalCast.com

eNutrition -- Your Source for Healthy Living

Stress Less, Inc.

GreenMarketplace.com- Welcome to our environmentally- and socially-responsible market!

How Stuff Works Power Panel

	Table of Contents A complete list of all HSW articles		About Marshall Brain Information about the creator of HSW
	Search Search for any word or concept in HSW		Citing HSW Information about citing HSW in articles and papers
	Question of the Day Ask questions or browse hundreds in the archive		Books A variety of books for people interested in how stuff works
	HSW Newsletter Sign up to receive the monthly HSW newsletter		Contacting HSW Contact HSW directly with email
	What's New Review newsletters to chart HSW's development		Awards Check out HSW's awards and reviews!
	Disclaimer The disclaimer required by the lawyer		Author Information Learn how you can write for HSW
	HSW Fan Buttons Link to HSW with these snazzy fan buttons!		Suggestions Leave a suggestion in the suggestion box

How Stuff Works (http://www.howstuffworks.com) is a production of
Howstuffworks.com, Inc.
P.O. Box 40492 - Raleigh, NC 27629
See http://www.howstuffworks.com/contact.htm for contact information