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Reflection Factor Equation:
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Reflection Factor is the ratio of the total amount of radiation, as of light, reflected by surface to total amount of radiation incident on surface. It is a dimensionless quantity that indicates how much light is reflected from a surface compared to the amount that falls on it.
The calculator uses the Reflection Factor equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the ratio of reflected luminous flux to incident luminous flux, providing a measure of how reflective a surface is.
Details: Reflection Factor is crucial in lighting design, architecture, and optical engineering. It helps determine how much light will be reflected from surfaces, which affects overall illumination levels, energy efficiency, and visual comfort in spaces.
Tips: Enter both Reflected Luminous Flux and Incident Luminous Flux in Lumen units. Both values must be positive numbers, with Incident Luminous Flux greater than zero.
Q1: What is the range of possible Reflection Factor values?
A: Reflection Factor values range from 0 to 1, where 0 means no reflection (perfectly black surface) and 1 means perfect reflection (all light is reflected).
Q2: How does Reflection Factor differ from Reflectance?
A: Reflection Factor is essentially the same as reflectance - both terms describe the ratio of reflected to incident radiation. The terms are often used interchangeably.
Q3: What are typical Reflection Factor values for common materials?
A: White paint: 0.8-0.9, Light gray concrete: 0.3-0.5, Dark wood: 0.1-0.2, Black velvet: 0.01-0.05.
Q4: Why is Reflection Factor important in lighting design?
A: It helps calculate how much light will be available in a space after multiple reflections, which is essential for determining appropriate lighting levels and energy requirements.
Q5: Can Reflection Factor be greater than 1?
A: No, Reflection Factor cannot be greater than 1 as it would violate the principle of conservation of energy. A value greater than 1 would indicate measurement error.