Have you ever watched movies or even just TV sitcoms that show touch lamps? This kind of lamp is usually seen in hotels or bedrooms of rich people. A touch lamp is one that is switched on by touching it, not like the common lamps that are switched on mechanically through a button or the like. Have you ever wondered how such lamps work? I mean, it is somehow amazing to turn on a thing just by touching it. If I were a child, I would probably say it is magic.

A touch lamp works in such a way because of the principle of body capacitance. What is this principle then? First of all, let us define capacitance. Capacitance is the object’s capacity in how much electrons it can hold. Each object has its own capacitance. In the case of the touch lamp, it has its very own capacitance. When you touch it, you add electrons to it and as well as capacity to it. Such difference of capacitance causes the lamp to be turned on. Here is how the “magic” in this kind of lamp happens.

This kind of lamp is very useful when in the dark. There are some people who have such lamps as nightstand lamps. This is so that when it is already dark, you can easily turn the lamp on. You will not need to look for the switch. What’s cooler about these lamps is that the whole lamp, from the base to the top, is basically sensitive to touch. You do not have to look for the part that is only touch-sensitive because the whole lamp is as it is.

Another thing is that this kind of lamp has a three-way bulb. What does it mean? It means that when you tap it once, it shines; you tap it again, it shines more. And when you tap it a third time, it shines the brightest. Having this three-way bulb system allows the eyes of the people in the room to adjust to the lamp bulb’s brightness. Thereby, preventing any discomfort in vision. So you see, having this kind of lamp is very useful. It is not just for luxury, but it is also helpful and very practical.