Two polarizers have their transmission axes at an angle $\theta$.Unpolarized light of intensity I is incident on the first polarizer.What is the intensity of the light transmitted by the second polarizer? A)I cos² $\theta$ B)0.5I cos² $\theta$ C)0.25I cos² $\theta$ D)I cos $\theta$ E)0.25I cos $\theta$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of light transmitted through two polarizers is given by Malus's law, which states that the intensity of polarized light after passing through a polarizer is I = I0 cos^2(θ), where I0 is the initial intensity and θ is the angle between the light's polarization direction and the polarizer's axis. For unpolarized light incident on the first polarizer, the intensity is reduced to half (I0/2), and then the second polarizer further reduces it according to the cosine squared of the angle between the polarizers. Therefore, the correct formula is 0.5I cos^2(θ), matching choice B.

Two Polarizers Have Their Transmission Axes at an Angle θ\thetaθ Unpolarized Light of Intensity I Is Incident on the First

Two Polarizers Have Their Transmission Axes at an Angle $\theta$ Unpolarized Light of Intensity I Is Incident on the First