this one has bugged me for a long time:please help
given a linar point source of light,find the minimum number of equally sized spheres to be placed around the source such that no light escapes out.
ps:don't bother about the reflection phenomenon :)

Question

this one has bugged me for a long time:please help
given a linar point source of light,find the minimum number of  equally sized spheres to be placed around the source such that no light escapes out.
ps:don't bother about the reflection phenomenon :)

anonymous · Answer

can't we put just 1 sphere at the opening? I mean from where the light is coming from?

anonymous · Answer

its a point source meaning, the light emanates from a point,say origin.so the entire space is getting the light.

anonymous · Answer

have u tried making an octahedron around your point particle? i guess that would be it.

dumbcow · Answer

hmm..interesting
2 spheres together can never completely block out light due to curvature
my guess is the min number goes to infinity because for every crack you try to cover up with another sphere, another smaller crack opens up
i gotta go so cant spend much time on this, cant prove it mathematically but thats my guess

anonymous · Answer

i doubt it...cause its given neglect reflection effects, so wen a light ray falls on the sphere it gets absorbed and don't reflect back....so essentially,wen we establish a spherical sheild,it'll end rite?