A beam of polarized light of intensity I₀ passes through a sheet of ideal polarizing material.The polarization axis of the beam and the transmission axis of the sheet differ by 10°.What is the intensity of the emerging light? A) 0.98 I₀ B) 0.97 I₀ C) 0.70 I₀ D) 1.00 I₀ E) 0.84 I₀

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a polarized beam of intensity I₀ passes through an ideal polarizing material whose transmission axis does not coincide with the polarization direction of the beam, the intensity of the beam decreases to (cosθ)² × I₀, where θ is the angle between the polarization direction of the beam and the transmission axis of the polarizing material. In this case, θ = 10°, so the intensity of the emerging light is: (cos10°)² × I₀ ≈ 0.97 I₀ Therefore, the correct choice is B.

A Beam of Polarized Light of Intensity I0 Passes Through

A Beam of Polarized Light of Intensity I₀ Passes Through