Polarized light of intensity S₀ passes through an ideal polarizer. If the electric vector of the polarized light is horizontal what, in terms of the initial intensity S₀, is the intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer if that polarizer is tilted 0.449 $\text{rad }$ from the horizontal? A) 0.812 S₀ B) 0.188 S₀ C) 0.217 S₀ D) 0.284 S₀

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer is given by Malus's law:$$I = I_0 \cos^2 \theta$$where $I_0$ is the initial intensity, $\theta$ is the angle between the polarizer's axis and the electric vector of the light.In this case, the initial intensity is $S_0$ and the angle between the polarizer's axis and the electric vector of the light is 0.449 rad. So, the intensity of the light that passes through the polarizer is:$$I = S_0 \cos^2 (0.449 \text{ rad }) = 0.812 S_0$$

Polarized Light of Intensity S0 Passes Through an Ideal Polarizer rad \text{rad }rad

Polarized Light of Intensity S₀ Passes Through an Ideal Polarizer $\text{rad }$