What term describes the amount of light produced by a light source?

The term that describes the amount of light produced by a light source is lumens. This measurement indicates the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source, providing a clear understanding of the light's output. It is a fundamental unit in lighting design and applications, as it allows for the comparison of different light sources based on how much light they generate, regardless of the area they illuminate.

To further clarify, other terms like footcandles, candlepower, and lux relate to light measurement in different contexts. Footcandles measure the illuminance on a surface, indicating how much light is present per square foot. Candlepower refers specifically to the intensity of light emitted in a particular direction. Lux, similar to footcandles, measures illuminance but uses the metric system, quantifying the amount of light per square meter. Understanding these terms clarifies distinctions in how light is expressed and measured across various applications.