Lux

== Lux ==

Lux is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is used in photometry as a measure of the intensity of light that hits or passes through a surface. The unit is defined in terms of lumens per square meter (lm/m²).

Definition

One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter. The lux is a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI), with the symbol lx. It is used to quantify the amount of visible light present in a given area or the amount of light that hits a surface.

Applications

Lux is commonly used in various fields such as lighting design, photography, cinematography, and horticulture. It helps in determining the appropriate lighting levels for different environments, ensuring adequate illumination for tasks and activities.

Lighting Design

In lighting design, lux levels are used to ensure that spaces are adequately lit for their intended use. For example, office spaces typically require a higher lux level compared to residential areas to facilitate tasks such as reading and writing.

Photography and Cinematography

In photography and cinematography, lux is used to measure the intensity of light in a scene, helping photographers and filmmakers to adjust their equipment settings for optimal exposure.

Horticulture

In horticulture, lux is used to measure the amount of light available to plants, which is crucial for their growth and development. Different plants require different lux levels for optimal growth.

Measurement

Lux can be measured using a device called a lux meter or light meter. These devices are equipped with sensors that detect the intensity of light and provide a reading in lux.

Related Units

The lux is related to other units of light measurement, such as the candela and the lumen. The candela is the SI base unit of luminous intensity, while the lumen is the SI derived unit of luminous flux.

See Also

• Lumen (unit)
• Candela
• Photometry (optics)
• Lighting
• Lux meter