Question

A low-power laser used in a physics lab might have a power of 0.50 mW and a beam diameter of 3.0 mm. Calculate:a.The average light intensity of the laser beam.b. The intensity of a lightbulb producing 100-W light viewed from 2.0 m.c.Compare the intensity of the laser to the intensity of the lightbulb. Is it advisable to look directly at a laser

Answer 1

A) I_laser = 70.74 W/m²

B) I_bulb = 1.989 W/m²

C) it is not advisable to look at the laser beam directly.

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

Power; P = 0.50 mW = 0.5 × 10^(-3) W

Diameter; d = 3 mm = 0.003 m

Radius; r = d/2 = 0.003/2 = 0.0015 m

A) Area of beam; A = πr²

A = 0.0015²π

Now, formula for average intensity is;

I = P/A

I = (0.5 × 10^(-3))/0.0015²π

I = 70.74 W/m²

B) We are told to find the intensity of a lightbulb producing 100-W.

Thus, P = 100 W

A light bulb is spherical in shape. Thus;

Area; A = 4πr²

We are told it's 2 m away.

Thus; r = 2 m

A = 4π(2)²

A = 16π

Thus, I = P/A = 100/16π

I = 1.989 W/m²

C) The intensity of the laser beam is far greater than that of the light bulb. Thus, it is not advisable to look at the laser beam directly.