What is the effect of rotating a polarizer in front of a polarized light source?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the effect of rotating a polarizer in front of a polarized light source?
Intensity remains constant
Intensity increases
Intensity decreases
Intensity first increases then decreases
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the effect of rotating a polarizer in front of a polarized light source?
Step 1: Understand that polarized light has a specific direction of vibration. This means the light waves are aligned in one direction.
Step 2: A polarizer is a special filter that only allows light waves aligned with its axis to pass through.
Step 3: When you place a polarizer in front of a polarized light source, the light can pass through the polarizer if its direction matches the polarizer's axis.
Step 4: As you rotate the polarizer, the angle between the light's polarization direction and the polarizer's axis changes.
Step 5: The intensity of the light that comes out of the polarizer depends on this angle. Specifically, it follows a mathematical rule called 'cosine square'.
Step 6: When the angle is 0 degrees (aligned), the light is at its brightest. As you rotate to 90 degrees (perpendicular), the light intensity drops to zero.
