Question

Polarized light passes through a polarizer. If the electric vector of the polarized light is horizontal what, in terms of the initial intensity I0, is the intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer if the polarizer is tilted 42° from the horizontal?

Answer 1

Answer:

The intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer is 0.55I₀.

Explanation:

The intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer can be found using Malus's law:  

$I = I_{0}cos^{2}(\theta)$

Where:

I: is the intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer

I₀: is the initial intensity

θ:  is the angle between the light's initial polarization direction and the axis of the polarizer = 42°  

$I = I_{0}cos^{2}(\theta) = I_{0}cos^{2}(42) = 0.55*I_{0}$

Therefore, the intensity of the light that passes through a polarizer is 0.55I₀.

I hope it helps you!