Unpolarized light is passed through polarizer 1.The light then goes though polarizer 2 with its plane of polarization at 30.7° to that of polarizer 1.What fraction of the intensity of the original light gets though the second polarizer?
A) 0.430
B) 0.740
C) 0.370
D) 0.860
E) 0.285

Question

Unpolarized light is passed through polarizer 1.The light then goes though polarizer 2 with its plane of polarization at 30.7° to that of polarizer 1.What fraction of the intensity of the original light gets though the second polarizer?
A) 0.430
B) 0.740
C) 0.370
D) 0.860
E) ​0.285

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fraction of intensity that gets through the second polarizer is given by Malus' law: I = I₀cos²θ, where I₀ is the original intensity and θ is the angle between the planes of polarization of the two polarizers. Here, θ = 30.7°. Thus, I = I₀cos²30.7° = 0.370I₀. Therefore, the fraction of intensity that gets through the second polarizer is 0.370.

Unpolarized Light Is Passed Through Polarizer 1