Question

Unpolarized light, with an intensity of I0, is incident on an ideal polarizer. A second ideal polarizer is immediately behind the first and its axis of polarization is oriented at an angle of 60° relative to the first polarizer’s. How much of the light will be transmitted through the system?

Answer 1

Answer:

The light transmitted through the system will be 0.125*I₀.  

Explanation:

The light transmitted through the system can be found using Malus Law:

$I = I_{0}cos^{2}(\theta)$    (1)

Where:

I: is the intensity of the light transmitted

I₀: is the initial intensity

θ is the angle relative to the first polarizer’s = 60°

Because the light transmitted by the first polarizer is dropped by half, the equation (1) results as:  

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

$I = \frac{I_{0}}{2}cos^{2}(60)$

$I = 0.125I_{0} = \frac{1}{8}I_{0}$

Therefore, the light transmitted through the system will be 0.125*I₀.  

I hope it helps you!