Three linear polarizers are oriented as follows: The axis of the second is at an
ID: 1685753 • Letter: T
Question
Three linear polarizers are oriented as follows: The axis of the second is at an angle of 59.0° relative to the first. The axis of the third is at an angle of 31.0° relative to the second, so the axis of the third polarizer is perpendicular to the axis of the first. Unpolarized light of intensity Io=18.6 W/m^2 is incident on the first polarizer.(a) What is the intensity of the light after it passes through all three polarizers?
(b) What is the intensity of the transmitted light if the second polarizer is removed?
Explanation / Answer
angle A = 59.0°, Io = 18.6 W/m^2, (a) What is the intensity of the light after it passes through all three polarizers? intensity through 1st one = Io/2 intensity through 2nd one = Io/2*[cos(A)]^2 intensity through 3rd one = Io/2*[cos(A)]^2*[cos(90-A)]^2 = 1.81 W/m^2 (b) What is the intensity of the transmitted light if the second polarizer is removed? intensity through 1st one = Io/2 intensity through 3rd one = Io/2*[cos(90)]^2 = 0