Question

An unpolarized beam of light with an intensity of 4000 W/m2 is incident on two ideal polarizing sheets. If the angle between the two polarizers is 0.429 rad, what is the emerging light intensity

Answer 1

Answer:

The intensity is  $I_2 = 1654 \ W/m^2$

Explanation:

From the question we are told that

    The intensity of the unpolarized light is  $I_o = 4000 \ W/m^2$

    The  angle between the ideal polarizing sheet is  $\theta = 0.429 \ rad = 0.429 * 57.296 = 24.58^o$

Generally the intensity of  light emerging from the first polarizer is mathematically represented as

               $I_2 = \frac{I_o}{2}$

substituting values

               $I_1 = \frac{4000}{2}$

                $I_1 = 2000 \ W/m^2$

Then the intensity of  incident light emerging from the second polarizer is mathematically represented by Malus law as

                 $I_2 = I_1 cos^2 (\theta )$

substituting values

                $I_2 = 2000 * [cos (24.58)]^2$

                $I_2 = 1654 \ W/m^2$