Unit solid angle and finite angle

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a point source emitting visible light isotropically, with a luminous flux of 0.11 lumen. The task is to determine the flux within a cone that has a half angle of 30 degrees, relating luminous flux to luminous intensity and solid angle.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between luminous flux, luminous intensity, and solid angle. The original poster attempts to calculate the flux within the cone by dividing the total luminous flux by 4π and multiplying by the solid angle of the cone. Some participants question the interpretation of luminous flux being smaller than luminous intensity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is exploring the definitions and relationships between luminous flux and luminous intensity, with some participants providing clarifications on the calculations. There is an ongoing examination of the implications of the results, particularly regarding the comparison of luminous flux and luminous intensity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the definitions of luminous flux and luminous intensity, as well as the implications of calculating flux for a finite solid angle that is less than one steradian.

lkijmj
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A point source emits visible light isotropically. Its luminous flux is 0.11 lumen. Find the flux whithin the cone that has half angle of 30 degree from the light source.

Homework Equations



luminous flux = luminous intensity * solid anlge

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to divide the flux 0.11lumen by 4pi and then multiply the solid angle. But since the solid angle of the cone is 0.84sr, the result appears to be smaller than the luminous intensity. But I don't understand the result. Can the flux of finite solid angle be smaller than luminous intensity?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Luminous flux is the total perceived power emitted in all directions (4pi steradians).
Luminous intensity is the perceived power per unit solid angle.

So you divided the given luminous flux by 4pi steradians in order to obtain the luminous intensity, and then multiplied by the given solid angle in order to find the flux within that solid angle. Looks okay to me.
 
But it doesn't make sense that luminous flux is smaller than luminous intensity. How can I explain this?
 
lkijmj said:
But it doesn't make sense that luminous flux is smaller than luminous intensity. How can I explain this?
The intensity is the perceived luminous power per unit solid angle (i.e. per steradian).

You found the solid angle of interest to be 0.842 sr. That's less than one steradian. So naturally the resulting flux will be less than the flux for a whole steradian.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
12K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K