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Inverse formula of light intensity and distance (1 Viewer)

x.Exhaust.x

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Would anyone happen to have a simple explanation for the inverse formula of light intensity and distance? (Intensity proportional to 1 / Distance^2). I need practice with this, because I know it'll pop up in the half yearly exam.

Thanks.
 

st1m

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yeah I1/I2= D1/D2 i think its that

just pop it in this formula and cross multuply

cya

P.s im in a hurry lol sorry for the minimum explaination
 

bored of sc

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inverse is the opposite - so the opposite to 1/d^2 is -d^2 (negative reciprocle)

no?

P.S I don't do physics but I am just trying to help - probably confusing everyone not to mention myself :apig:
 

x.Exhaust.x

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bored of sc said:
inverse is the opposite - so the opposite to 1/d^2 is -d^2 (negative reciprocle)

no?

P.S I don't do physics but I am just trying to help - probably confusing everyone not to mention myself :apig:
Thanks man you did your best ;), but that wasn't what I was asking. I may as well ask the teacher.

Thanks to the both of you =]
 

Felix Jones

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basically what it means is that as the distance from the source of the light increases the intensity decreases (because it covers more area). for example think about a torch shining its light through a small hole. if u bring a papers and place it in front of the hole, the brightness of the light increases (intensity) but the area covered decreases. when u move away the paper, u increase the area it covers, hence when it covers more area the intensity decreases (less bright).

i'll give u a numerical explanation if that didn't help:

Question:
-if the light intensity at a distance (a) from a light source is 45 lux (unit for light intensity)
-then what would be the intensity of light if you:
a)tripled the disdance
b)halved
c)increases it by tenfold?

answer:
a)just chuck 3 in the formula (1/d^2) and u would get (1/9)
this means that the intensity of light is now 1/9 th of what it was before, and 45 *(1/9) =5 lux.

b) same as before chuck those numbers in the formula so (1/(0.5)^2)= 4, there fore the intensity will be four times greater. hence the intensity is: 45*4= 180 lux.

c) same as before, but try this urself.


Good Luck!!!
 
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