If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers at 90 degrees to each other,

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Question: If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers at 90 degrees to each other, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

Options:

Correct Answer: Zero

Solution:

When unpolarized light passes through two polarizers at 90 degrees, no light is transmitted, resulting in zero intensity.

If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers at 90 degrees to each other, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

If unpolarized light passes through two polarizers at 90 degrees to each other, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

Step 1: Understand that unpolarized light contains waves vibrating in multiple directions.
Step 2: Know that a polarizer only allows light waves vibrating in one specific direction to pass through.
Step 3: When unpolarized light hits the first polarizer, it becomes polarized, allowing some light to pass through.
Step 4: The light that passes through the first polarizer is now polarized in the direction of that polarizer.
Step 5: The second polarizer is oriented at 90 degrees to the first polarizer, meaning it is perpendicular to the direction of the polarized light from the first polarizer.
Step 6: Since the second polarizer is at 90 degrees, it blocks all the light coming from the first polarizer.
Step 7: Therefore, no light is transmitted through the second polarizer, resulting in zero intensity of the transmitted light.

Polarization of Light – Understanding how light behaves when passing through polarizers, particularly the effect of orientation on intensity.
Malus's Law – The principle that describes how the intensity of polarized light changes as it passes through a polarizer.