Unpolarized light is incident upon two ideal polarizing filters that do not have their transmission axes aligned. If $19 \%$ of the light passes through this combination, what is the angle between the transmission axes of the two filters?
A)52°
B)72°.
C)0°
D)0°.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of light passing through two polarizing filters is given by $I = I_0 \cos^2 \theta$, where $I_0$ is the initial intensity, $\theta$ is the angle between the transmission axes of the two filters. If $19 \%$ of the light passes through this combination, then:$$0.19 = \cos^2 \theta$$$$\theta = \cos^{-1} \sqrt{0.19} = 52°$$

Unpolarized Light Is Incident Upon Two Ideal Polarizing Filters That 19%19 \%19%

Unpolarized Light Is Incident Upon Two Ideal Polarizing Filters That $19 \%$