Question

must dim high beams when within ____________ ft of on coming car or ____________ ft when following car

Answer 1

The question pertains to the maximum distance at which car headlights can be resolved using the Rayleigh criterion in optics, depending on the distance between the headlights and the diameter of the pupil.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is inquiring about the Rayleigh criterion, which is used to determine the maximum distance at which human eyes can resolve two separate points or sources of light, such as car headlights. In physics, this criterion relates to the diffraction limit of a system, particularly relevant in optics and the study of light.

In the stated example, the headlights are 1.3 m apart, and we assume a pupil diameter of 0.40 cm. To calculate the maximum distance, we would use the formula θ = 1.22 λ/D, where θ is the angular resolution, λ is the wavelength of light (taken to be about 550 nm for visible light), and D is the diameter of the pupil.

Unfortunately, without explicit information about the desired detail level or additional context, I cannot provide the exact solution the student might need for their homework. They would need to complete the calculation given their specific requirements for resolution.

However, it is important to note that in practice, the resolution of the human eye can be affected by many factors, including light conditions, the observer's eyesight, and the presence of other light sources, which might complicate the straightforward application of the Rayleigh criterion.

The question provided appears to also relate to safety guidelines, such as at what distances drivers must dim their high beams, but those distances are not specified in the question and are typically regulated by local laws.

Answer 2

High beams must be dimmed within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following another vehicle to ensure safety and prevent glare or blindness.

Step-by-step explanation:

When operating a vehicle at night, it is crucial to use high beams responsibly to ensure that both you and other drivers have enough visibility without causing blindness or distraction.

By law, you must dim your high beams when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to prevent blinding the other driver. Similarly, when you are behind another vehicle, you should switch to low beams if you are within 300 feet to avoid causing glare in the rearview mirror of the vehicle in front of you.