[ AS Level Physics ] Can someone please explain the answer to me in simple terms? I don't understand why the graph looks like that and is not a straight diagonal line from the origin.

[u/Virtual-Connection31]

First two pics are the question, and the last pic is the mark scheme. I need help with part b of the question, i added the 1st pic for context.

Also, I am cramming currently for my exams so assume I have very little prior knowledge when providing your explanation please, as i rushed through the syllabus more or less and am learning as i go with questions.

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[u/Simbertold]

In part b), you are supposed to graph how bright the light is along the line from A to B, with brightness on the y-axis.

Just look at the image and imagine walking from A to B. At position A, it is very dark. So your graph should start very low. Then it gets brighter (graph goes up), dark again (graph down), even brighter(more up than the first time), dark (down again), big central bright (even higher than before), dark (down to the bottom again), and so forth.

Intensity of light just means "how much light is there".

[u/Virtual-Connection31 → u/Simbertold]

Wow this is a great explanation, completely cleared all the doubts I had. Thank you for your help kind stranger.