OK, light analogy. In order to achieve certain brightness of 100W light we can either adjust brightness in linear fashion by increasing bulb supply voltage or we can apply full voltage and blink it very fast. Continuous brightness that our eyes see depends on amount of time the light is on to amount of time it is off (average brightness). If we pulse it symmetrically (50/50) ON and OFF our eyes will perceive half of the brightness. That's how light dimmers work.
First method of achieving desired brightness corresponds to traditional class A or AB amps while the second method is class D. Dimmer is class D regulator. Thermal inertia of the filament is equivalent of output filtering.
First method of achieving desired brightness corresponds to traditional class A or AB amps while the second method is class D. Dimmer is class D regulator. Thermal inertia of the filament is equivalent of output filtering.