Difference between revisions of "Inverse square law"
(New page: The '''inverse square law''' predicts the intensity of a field at a given distance from a point source. Take a point source that is propagating something (light, sound, [[grav...) |
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The '''inverse square law''' predicts the intensity of a field at a given distance from a point source. | The '''inverse square law''' predicts the intensity of a field at a given distance from a point source. | ||
| − | Take a [[point source]] that is propagating something ([[light]], [[sound]], [[gravity]], [[electric field]], etc..) out. | + | Take a [[point source]] that is propagating something ([[light]], [[sound]], [[gravity]], [[electric field]], etc..) out. Thus |
The inverse square law can be derived by looking at the surface area of a [[sphere]] of radius ''r''. The surface area of a sphere is 4πr<sup>2</sup>. As the radius increases, the surface area of the sphere goes up with the square of the radius and the intensity of the phenomena will be inversely proportional to the [[surface area]]. | The inverse square law can be derived by looking at the surface area of a [[sphere]] of radius ''r''. The surface area of a sphere is 4πr<sup>2</sup>. As the radius increases, the surface area of the sphere goes up with the square of the radius and the intensity of the phenomena will be inversely proportional to the [[surface area]]. | ||
Revision as of 04:52, December 1, 2012
The inverse square law predicts the intensity of a field at a given distance from a point source.
Take a point source that is propagating something (light, sound, gravity, electric field, etc..) out. Thus
The inverse square law can be derived by looking at the surface area of a sphere of radius r. The surface area of a sphere is 4πr2. As the radius increases, the surface area of the sphere goes up with the square of the radius and the intensity of the phenomena will be inversely proportional to the surface area.
With gravity, the inverse square law can be seen in Gm1m2 / r2.
Applications
Using the inverse square law and knowing the strength of the phenomena, it is possible to calculate the distance to the source. Knowing how bright a light bulb is and measuring how bright it appears to be. This can also be used with sound or radiation.
The inverse square law can also be used with gravitation to determine the mass of an unknown. Measuring the mass of one object, the force gravity exerts on the other object, and the distance between the two objects one can calculate the mass of the unknown. This is how the mass of the Moon is measured.[1]
Links
- The Joly Photometer: Measuring Light Intensity Using the Inverse Square Law
- Inverse Square Law at Hyperphysics