Concept explainers
Two light sources of identical strength are placed 10 m apart. An object is to be placed at a point P on a line
(a) Find an expression for the intensity I(x) at the point P.
(b) If d = 5 m, use graphs of I(x) and I'(x) to show that the intensity is minimized when x = 5 m, that is, when P is at the midpoint of
(c) If d = 10 m, show that the intensity (perhaps surprisingly) is not minimized at the midpoint.
(d) Somewhere between d = 5 m and d = 10m there is a transitional value of d at which the point of minimal illumination abruptly changes. Estimate this value of d by graphical methods. Then find the exact value of d.
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Chapter 3 Solutions
Calculus (MindTap Course List)