Why is the squared meters negative?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter R_Ham
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Negative
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the notation of Watts per negative square meter (W·m-2) used in energy auditing standards. Participants confirm that W·m-2 is equivalent to Watts per square meter (W/m2), where the dot signifies multiplication. The negative exponent indicates a reciprocal relationship, reinforcing that W·m-2 is simply a different representation of the same measurement. This notation is standard in the field, despite potential confusion among practitioners.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of energy auditing concepts
  • Familiarity with units of measurement in physics
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical notation, particularly exponents
  • Awareness of lighting standards and their implications in energy efficiency
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of using different units in energy auditing
  • Learn about the significance of negative exponents in scientific notation
  • Explore standards for lighting efficiency and their measurement units
  • Investigate common practices in energy auditing documentation and reporting
USEFUL FOR

Energy auditors, lighting designers, and professionals involved in energy efficiency assessments will benefit from this discussion, particularly those seeking clarity on measurement standards and notation in their field.

R_Ham
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I work in energy auditing. I noticed a lot of the standards I am given for lighting, etc are in Watts per negative square meter: W·m-2.

Does anyone know what this means? Why isn't it just in W·m2 ?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
##a^{-n}## means the same as ##1/a^n##

Anything raised to negative power is the same as a fraction with the thing being in the denominator.

So what does ##Wm^{-2}## mean?
 
R_Ham said:
Hello,
I work in energy auditing. I noticed a lot of the standards I am given for lighting, etc are in Watts per negative square meter: W·m-2.

Does anyone know what this means? Why isn't it just in W·m2 ?
The dot between the w and the m is times, not divided by. I'm not sure why you would write it that way, but W·m-2 = W/m2
 
Yes, this all makes sense now. Can't believe I didn't realize that one -_- . I don't know why, but the standards are just always written like that W·m-2.
 

Similar threads

High School Simplifying roots of negative numbers
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Square root of a negative number in a complex field
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
6K
High School What Does Time Squared Really Mean in Physics?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
12K
Undergrad Negative numbers anomaly? And i?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
MHB Square Root vs Cube Root
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Solving the Mystery of Negative Square Roots
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School No distinction between positive and negative for imag nums?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Why does BIDMAS not always apply to squaring negative numbers?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
7K
High School What is the meaning and properties of negative exponents?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Combinatorics and Magic squares
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K