Does Combined Luminosity of LEDs Add Up?

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In summary, the combined luminosity of the green and red LED would most likely be 4 W if they are facing the same direction, but could still be 2 W if they are facing different directions due to the varying radiance of the sources.
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Euan12345
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Say you had a green and red LED, both with a luminosity of 2 W would the combined luminosity be 4 W or still 2 W?
Say you had a green and red LED, both with a luminosity of 2 W would the combined luminosity be 4 W or still 2 W?
 
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Euan12345 said:
Summary:: Say you had a green and red LED, both with a luminosity of 2 W would the combined luminosity be 4 W or still 2 W?

Say you had a green and red LED, both with a luminosity of 2 W would the combined luminosity be 4 W or still 2 W?

On the face of it, I would say 'yes', since luminosity is a measure of total output power. However, your sources aren't isotropic emitters: the radiance of these sources strongly depend on the angle with respect to each emitter's surface normal.

What that means is that if the sources are not facing the same direction, the received power from each source is likely different.
 

1. How do you calculate luminosity?

Luminosity is calculated by multiplying the surface area of a star by its effective temperature to the fourth power.

2. What units are used to measure luminosity?

Luminosity is typically measured in terms of solar luminosity, which is the amount of energy emitted by the Sun in one second. It is also commonly measured in watts or ergs per second.

3. Can luminosity be negative?

No, luminosity cannot be negative. It is a measure of the total energy emitted by a star, so it is always a positive value.

4. How does luminosity affect a star's lifespan?

Luminosity is directly related to a star's mass and temperature, which are key factors in determining its lifespan. A higher luminosity generally means a shorter lifespan, as the star is using up its energy at a faster rate.

5. How can we use luminosity to classify stars?

Luminosity is one of the main factors used to classify stars. It is often plotted on a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram along with a star's temperature, which helps to determine its size, age, and evolutionary stage.

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