Which is an example of a load in a circuit?

In an electrical circuit, a load is a component that consumes electrical energy to perform work, such as producing light, heat, or mechanical motion. A light bulb serves as a clear example of a load because it converts electrical energy into light and, to some extent, heat. When electricity flows through the light bulb, it heats up the filament, causing it to glow and emit light. This transformation illustrates how a load operates within a circuit by utilizing the energy provided by the power source.

While other components in a circuit have important roles, they do not classify as loads in the same way. For example, a battery is a power source that provides the electrical energy necessary for the circuit to operate, while cables serve as the pathways for the flow of electricity but do not inherently consume energy. Thus, a light bulb exemplifies a load by directly converting electrical energy into a useful output.