Unpolarized light is passed through polarizer 1.The light then goes though polarizer 2 with its plane of polarization at 45.0 $\degree$ to that of polarizer 1.What fraction of the intensity of the original light gets though the second polarizer?
A)0.707
B)0.500
C)0.250
D)0.125

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When unpolarized light passes through the first polarizer, its intensity is reduced by half. Then, when it passes through the second polarizer at 45 degrees, the intensity is further reduced by cos²(45°) = 0.5. Therefore, the fraction of the original intensity that gets through both polarizers is 0.5 * 0.5 = 0.25.

Unpolarized Light Is Passed Through Polarizer 1 °\degree° To That of Polarizer 1

Unpolarized Light Is Passed Through Polarizer 1 $\degree$ To That of Polarizer 1