1. The illuminance of a surface illuminated by light falling on it perpendicularly from a
point is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the surface and
source.
2. If the rays make an angle x with the normal to the surface, the illuminance is
proportional to cos(x).
3. (Also called Bouquer's law) The luminous intensity (I) of light decreases exponentially
with the distance d that it enters an absorbing medium i.e.
I = Io exp(-z d)
Where Io is the intensity of the radiation that enters the medium and z is its linear
absorption coefficient. These laws were first stated (for light) by Johann H. Lambert.
Answered by: Dan Summons, Physics Undergrad Student, UOS, Souhampton
'In a way science is a key to the gates of heaven, and the same key opens the gates of hell, and we do not have any instructions as to which is which gate.
Shall we throw away the key and never have a way to enter the gates of heaven? Or shall we struggle with the problem of which is the best way to use the key?'