What happens to the light intensity when it passes through two polarizers aligned at an angle of 30 degrees?

1 question

1 item

Q: What happens to the light intensity when it passes through two polarizers aligned at an angle of 30 degrees?

Solution: Using Malus's law, the transmitted intensity I = I_0 * cos²(θ). For θ = 30 degrees, I = I_0 * (√3/2)² = (3/4)I_0.

Steps: 10

Step 1: Understand that light intensity is how bright the light is.
Step 2: Know that a polarizer is a tool that only allows light waves in a certain direction to pass through.
Step 3: When light passes through the first polarizer, it becomes polarized, meaning it is now only vibrating in one direction.
Step 4: The second polarizer is at an angle of 30 degrees to the first one.
Step 5: Use Malus's law, which tells us how much light passes through two polarizers. The formula is I = I_0 * cos²(θ), where I_0 is the initial intensity and θ is the angle between the two polarizers.
Step 6: Plug in the values: I_0 is the initial intensity, and θ is 30 degrees.
Step 7: Calculate cos(30 degrees), which is √3/2.
Step 8: Square the value: (√3/2)² = 3/4.
Step 9: Multiply the initial intensity I_0 by 3/4 to find the transmitted intensity: I = (3/4)I_0.
Step 10: Conclude that the light intensity after passing through both polarizers is (3/4) of the original intensity.