If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?
Zero
Half of the original intensity
Equal to the original intensity
Dependent on the angle between the polarizers
The maximum intensity transmitted through two polarizers is given by Malus's law, which states that I = I0 * cos²(θ), where θ is the angle between the polarizers.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?
Solution: The maximum intensity transmitted through two polarizers is given by Malus's law, which states that I = I0 * cos²(θ), where θ is the angle between the polarizers.
Steps: 9
Step 1: Understand that unpolarized light has no specific direction of vibration.
Step 2: Know that a polarizer only allows light waves that are aligned with its axis to pass through.
Step 3: When unpolarized light passes through the first polarizer, it becomes polarized, and its intensity is reduced to half of the original intensity (I0).
Step 4: The intensity after the first polarizer is I1 = I0 / 2.
Step 5: The second polarizer can be at an angle θ relative to the first polarizer.
Step 6: Use Malus's law to find the intensity after the second polarizer: I2 = I1 * cos²(θ).
Step 7: Substitute I1 into the equation: I2 = (I0 / 2) * cos²(θ).
Step 8: The maximum intensity transmitted occurs when θ = 0 degrees (the polarizers are aligned), so cos²(0) = 1.
Step 9: Therefore, the maximum intensity transmitted is I2 = I0 / 2.
