A 100-W light bulb radiates visible light at a rate of about 10 W; the rest of the EM radiation is mostly infrared. Assume that the light bulb radiates uniformly in all directions. Under ideal conditions, the eye can see the light bulb if at least 20 visible photons per second enter a dark-adapted eye with a pupil diameter of 7 mm.
(a) Estimate how far from the source the light bulb can be seen under these rather extreme conditions. Assume an average wavelength of 600 nm.
(b) Why do we not normally see light bulbs at anywhere near this distance?