W/m² Formula:
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W/m² (Watts per square meter) is a measurement of power density or irradiance. It represents the amount of power (in watts) received per unit area (in square meters).
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: This calculation shows how concentrated a power output is over a given area.
Details: W/m² is crucial in fields like solar energy (measuring solar irradiance), lighting design, heating systems, and electromagnetic radiation safety.
Tips: Enter the total power in watts and the area in square meters. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is a typical W/m² value for sunlight?
A: At Earth's surface, maximum solar irradiance is about 1000 W/m² on a clear day at noon.
Q2: How does W/m² relate to energy efficiency?
A: Lower W/m² values often indicate more efficient systems that deliver the same performance with less power per area.
Q3: What's the difference between W/m² and lux?
A: W/m² measures total power, while lux measures visible light intensity as perceived by the human eye.
Q4: How is W/m² used in heating systems?
A: It helps determine the heat output per unit area, important for underfloor heating or radiant panels.
Q5: What's a safe W/m² level for RF radiation?
A: Safety limits vary by frequency, but typical public exposure limits are around 1-10 W/m² for RF fields.