Calculate the expansion of a laser beam

[gregorio87]

I have do some trigonometric calculation, to calculate the expansion of a laser beam, knowing the distance of the "target".
I'm not very good in math, then if I have done any error, please let me know
Sorry for the very bad schematic beam, I have drawn it very large to simplify the read.
I have divided the beam in three parts: two equals triangle and a little straight rectangle, that is the ideal beam.
The expansion is the summation of those three parts at the end, when the beam hit the target.
See the pic.

Gregorio

 

[FrothyChimp]

My recommendation is to leave the results in radians, do not convert to degrees. I'll tell you a little secret about mathematics and science nobody uses degrees it's all radians. Do not convert to degrees when taking your measurements either, use a tangent form.

 

[gregorio87]

My recommendation is to leave the results in radians, do not convert to degrees. I'll tell you a little secret about mathematics and science nobody uses degrees it's all radians. Do not convert to degrees when taking your measurements either, use a tangent form.

Thanks, I have used degrees, because at school, with trigonometric function, we use only degrees, not radians. I use radians only in mechanic.

 

[FrothyChimp]

Once you get into calculus the degree will go the way of the dodo. You will encounter it in physics problems but degrees will disappear quite quickly.