?
Categories
Account

If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensit

  • 📥 Instant PDF Download
  • ♾ Lifetime Access
  • 🛡 Secure & Original Content

What’s inside this PDF?

Question: If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?

Options:

  1. Zero
  2. Half of the original intensity
  3. Equal to the original intensity
  4. Dependent on the angle between the polarizers

Correct Answer: Dependent on the angle between the polarizers

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.

If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensit

Practice Questions

Q1
If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?
  1. Zero
  2. Half of the original intensity
  3. Equal to the original intensity
  4. Dependent on the angle between the polarizers

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers, what is the maximum intensity of light transmitted?
  • 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.
  • Malus's Law – Malus's law describes how the intensity of polarized light changes as it passes through a polarizer, depending on the angle between the light's polarization direction and the polarizer's axis.
  • Unpolarized Light – Unpolarized light consists of waves vibrating in multiple planes, and when it passes through a polarizer, it becomes polarized along the axis of the polarizer.
  • Intensity Calculation – The intensity of light transmitted through multiple polarizers can be calculated using the formula I = I0 * cos²(θ), where I0 is the initial intensity and θ is the angle between the light's polarization direction and the polarizer's axis.
Soulshift Feedback ×

On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend The Soulshift Academy?

Not likely Very likely
Home Practice Performance eBooks