Question

select the answer.
what does the inverse square law state?
a. the energy from the light source doubles at twice the distance
b. the energy from the light source is proportional to the inverse of the square of the distance
c. the energy from the light source is focused and constant with increasing distance
d. the energy from the light source is proportionate to the square of the distance

Explanation:

The inverse - square law states that the intensity (or energy per unit area) of a physical quantity (such as light, sound, gravitational force, etc.) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Mathematically, if \(I\) is the intensity and \(r\) is the distance from the source, \(I\propto\frac{1}{r^{2}}\).

• Option A: If the energy from the light source doubles at twice the distance, it does not follow the inverse - square relationship.
• Option B: The energy from the light source being proportional to the inverse of the square of the distance (\(E\propto\frac{1}{r^{2}}\)) is in line with the inverse - square law.
• Option C: If the energy is constant with increasing distance, it contradicts the inverse - square law which implies a decrease in energy (per unit area) as distance increases.
• Option D: If the energy is proportional to the square of the distance (\(E\propto r^{2}\)), it is the opposite of the inverse - square law.

Answer:

B. the energy from the light source is proportional to the inverse of the square of the distance