Solving Point Source Light Problem | HELP

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To solve the problem of determining the width of the aperture illuminated by a point source of light, one can apply trigonometric principles. The geometry of the situation involves calculating the angle of light diffusion using the dimensions provided: a 10.2-cm-wide bright patch on a screen located 1.02 m behind the aperture. By constructing triangles based on the light's path, the width of the aperture can be derived from the relationships between the angles and sides of these triangles. The discussion emphasizes the importance of visualizing the setup and applying standard trigonometric formulas to find the solution. This approach effectively addresses the problem of light distribution from a point source.
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Point Source...HELP!

Homework Statement


A point source of light illuminates an aperture 2.3 m away. A 10.2-cm-wide bright patch of light appears on a screen 1.02 m behind the aperture. How wide is the aperture?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


This looks like a geometry problem but I am not seeing it??
 
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I have included a drawing of the situation in the attachment.
You can use the blue triangle to find the angle \alpha.
Then use standard trigonometry to find the answer (which is the length of one of the sides of the red triangle).
 

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  • aperture.jpg
    aperture.jpg
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wow thank you very much!
 
Thread 'Correct statement about size of wire to produce larger extension'

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