Conversion to lux (Light intensity)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting a measurement of light intensity from milliwatts per square meter (mw/m²) to lux, a unit of illuminance. Participants are exploring the relationships between these units and the factors that influence the conversion, particularly the wavelength of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the conversion process and questioning the lack of a direct equality for the conversion. There is mention of the relationship between lux, lumens, and candelas, as well as the importance of wavelength in the conversion factor.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing information about the definitions of units and the dependency of the conversion on the wavelength of light. Some guidance has been offered regarding the conversion factor for specific wavelengths, but no consensus has been reached on a general method.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted constraint regarding the dependency of the conversion on the wavelength of light, which has not been fully resolved in the discussion.

Petrucciowns
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How would I go about converting 59.7 mw/m^2 to lux?

I would appreciate any help I can't find an equality.
 
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Petrucciowns said:
How would I go about converting 59.7 mw/m^2 to lux?

I would appreciate any help I can't find an equality.

Hi Petrucciowns! :smile:

1 lux = 1 lumen per m2

1 lumen = 1 candela steradian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumen_(unit))

and (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candela#Definition) …
The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1⁄683 watt per steradian.
 
Yes, but those conversions don't match up with the variables that I have.
 
Petrucciowns said:
How would I go about converting 59.7 mw/m^2 to lux?

I would appreciate any help I can't find an equality.

It depends on the wavelength.

For 555 nm light, 1 W/m^2 is equivalent to 683 lux.

For other wavelengths, multiply that by the human eye sensitivity function.
 

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