EXPERIMENT NO # 3
EXPERIMENT NAME:
A. INVERSE SQUARE LAW FOR LIGHT RADIATION.
B. LAMBERTS COSINE LAW FOR LIGHT
EXPERIMENT # A. INVERSE SQUARE LAW FOR LIGHT RADIATION.
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this experiment is to prove the validity of the law that the intensity of rays of
light on the surface of a detector (I) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance of that
surface from the light source (d).
THEORY:
INVERSE SQUARE LAW:
The Inverse square law states that the intensity of light striking on the surface of a body is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the light source and the surface of
that body.
The light source will radiate the light equally in various directions according to the inverse
Square Law. The intensity of light radiation depends on the distance (r) of the radiation and
inversely varies with the area of the sphere as in figure-1 below.
The principle of the Inverse Square Law is applicable to electromagnetism, sound and other
forms of radiation. If the distance from the light source to the body is twice the original distance,
the intensity of light will be decreased to ( 1 ) 2 = ( 1 4 ) of its original value. Generally
2
the ratio of intensities at distances d 1 and d 2 are:
1 d 22
=
2 d12
Where,
1 = The intensity of lighting illumination at the first distance of the detecting surface from light
source.
2 = The intensity of lighting illumination at the second distance of the detecting surface from
light source.
d1 = The first distance of detecting surface of light meter from the light diffuser
d 2 = The second distance of the detecting surface of light meter from the light diffuser
The relation between distances from flux of radiation is shown in figure-2.
SETTING PROCEDURE THE APPARATUS:
1) Assemble the equipment by setting the datum light source at zero (or 1000 mm.) distance on
the scale at the base track with the filter base and the light meter on the detector stand as
shown in figure.
2) Connect the wiring of the light meter and the light source to the control panel.
EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE:
1) Set the light meter at a distance of 16.5 cm from the datum light source and record the
reading on the data sheet
2) Repeat by moving the light meter away from the light source at an increment of 5 cm until
the distance moved is 61.5 cm.
3) Install the Opaque Filter, Thin Black Filter and the Dark Black Filter respectively.
RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS:
1) Using the light meter reading value ( 1 ) of the initial setting (at 16.5cm), calculate the value (
2 ) at the other points by applying the Inverse Square Law formula. Record the calculated
value in the data and calculation table for comparison with the reading value at the various
points.
2) Calculate Log10 of d and I.
3) Plot a graph showing Log10 d on the x-axis and Log10 I on the y-axis. A straight line showing
declining slope (negative) of approximately -2 will verify the Inverse Square Law.
DATA SHEET:1
Light source:[Link]; Tested by:Group……, Date……………………
Type of filter:No Filter/Opaque Filter/Thin Black Filter/Dark Black Filter
Reading value Calculated value
Test no. Distance Light meter d 2
Log10 d Log 10 1
reading 1 (Lux) 2 2 = 1
1
d d2
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
DATA SHEET:2
Light source:[Link]; Tested by:Group……, Date……………………
Type of filter:No Filter/Opaque Filter/Thin Black Filter/Dark Black Filter
Reading value Calculated value
Test no. Distance Light meter d12 Log10 d Log 10 1
reading 1 (Lux) 2 2 = 1
d d 22
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
EXPERIMENT #1 B: LAMBERTS COSINE LAW FOR LIGHT
THEORY:
The purpose of this experiment is to prove the validity of the law that the intensity of light
radiation (I) failing on the surface of a detector at varies incident angles (θ) will vary directly
with the value of cosine of incident angle. Therefore
diffuse = light cos
Where,
diffuse = Intensity of the light reflected from the surface
light = Intensity of incoming light at the particular wave length
θ =Incident angle (angle between the light direction and the surface normal)
It is necessary to set up the equipment in a darkened room in order to eliminate the influence of
ambient light conditions.
SETTING PROCEDURE THE APPARATUS:
1) Assemble the equipment by setting the datum light source at zero (or 1000 mm) distance on
the scale at the base track with the filter base and the light meter on the detector stand.
2) Connect the wiring of the light meter and the light source to the control panel.
EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE:
1) Set the light meter at a distance of 4.5 cm or other distance from the datum light source, and
read and record on the data sheets supplied the light intensity reading (zero degree incident
angle)
2) Rotate the light meter to make an incident angle of 10 to the right and read and record on the
data sheets supplied the light intensity reading.
3) Rotate the light meter further to increase the incident angles at intervals of 10 until the
incident angle is 90 and read and record on the data sheets supplied the light intensity
reading for each interval.
4) Rotate the light meter to make an incident angle of 10 to the left and read and record on the
data sheets supplied the light intensity reading.
5) Rotate the light meter further to increase the incident angles at intervals of 10 until the
incident angle is 90 and read and record the light intensity reading for each interval.
RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS:
1) Using the light meter reading value of the initial light intensity at zero incident angle,
calculate the value of intensity of light at various incident angles by applying the Lambert’s
cosine law formula. Record the calculated value in the data and calculation table for
comparison with the reading values at the various incident angles on data sheet
2) Plot a graph showing relation between light intensity for both of actual reading calculated
value on the y-axis and incident angle on the x-axis.
Data Sheet
Light source: 100 watts Lamp, Tested by:................, Dated:................
Distance from light meter to diffuser(d)=4.5 cm
Test no Reading Value Calculated Value Percent error
Incident angle Light meter,l Cosθ Calculated,I %
θ (lux)
1
2
3
4
Right Hand
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
Left Hand 5
6
7
8
9
10
