How to calculate incident light on surface with multiple orientations?

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Lets say you have a light source with a uniform beam of known intensity per meter square incident on a surface and the surface is tilted both vertically and horizontally.
The surface is on a platform and tilted directly up and the angle of incidence is 45 degrees while the platform is also rotated horizontally at 22 degrees (angle of incidence 22 degrees here?).
How to calculate the intensity? Is it just multiplying both the cosines of each angles by the intensity?
 
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Jman99 said:
Is it just multiplying both the cosines of each angles by the intensity?
A good indication of the light energy flux would be the projected area - i.e. what you suggest.
 

FAQ: How to calculate incident light on surface with multiple orientations?

1. What is incident light?

Incident light refers to the light that strikes a surface. It can come from various sources, such as the sun, artificial lights, or reflections from other surfaces. The angle and intensity of the incident light can vary depending on the light source and the orientation of the surface it strikes.

2. How do you calculate the angle of incidence for a given surface orientation?

The angle of incidence is calculated using the dot product of the light vector and the surface normal vector. The formula is cos(θ) = (L • N) / (|L| * |N|), where θ is the angle of incidence, L is the light vector, and N is the surface normal vector. You can then use the arccos function to find the angle θ.

3. How does the orientation of a surface affect the amount of incident light?

The orientation of a surface affects the angle at which light strikes it, which in turn affects the intensity of the incident light. When the surface is perpendicular to the light source, it receives the maximum amount of light. As the angle of incidence increases, the effective area exposed to the light decreases, reducing the incident light intensity.

4. What tools or software can be used to calculate incident light on surfaces with multiple orientations?

There are several tools and software available for calculating incident light on surfaces with multiple orientations. Some popular options include MATLAB, Python (with libraries such as NumPy and SciPy), and specialized lighting simulation software like Radiance or DIALux. These tools can help automate the calculations and visualize the results.

5. Can incident light calculations be applied to real-world scenarios, such as building design or solar panel placement?

Yes, incident light calculations are crucial in real-world applications like building design, solar panel placement, and agricultural planning. By understanding how light interacts with surfaces of different orientations, architects and engineers can optimize designs for natural lighting, energy efficiency, and solar energy capture. This can lead to more sustainable and efficient structures and systems.

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