Linearly polarized light is incident of a sheet of polarizing material. The angle between the transmission axis and the incident electric field is 44°. What percentage of the incident intensity is transmitted?
A)38 %
B)43 %
C)52 %
D)72 %
E)84 %

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of the transmitted light is given by Malus' law: 
I_transmitted = I_0 * cos^2(theta)
where I_0 is the incident intensity, and theta is the angle between the transmission axis and the incident electric field. 
Plugging in the values given, we get: 
I_transmitted = I_0 * cos^2(44°)
I_transmitted = I_0 * 0.52 
So the percentage of the incident intensity that is transmitted is: 
(I_transmitted / I_0) * 100% = 0.52 * 100% = 52% 
Therefore, the answer is choice C.

Linearly Polarized Light Is Incident of a Sheet of Polarizing