In Figure ( a ) below, unpolarized light is sent into a system of three polarizi

Question

In Figure (a) below, unpolarized light is sent into a system of three polarizing sheets. The angles theta1, theta2, and theta3 of the polarizing directions are measured counterclockwise from the positive direction of the y axis (they are not drawn to scale). Angles theta1 and theta3 are fixed, but angle theta2 can be varied. Figure (b) gives the intensity of the light emerging from sheet 3 as a function of theta2. (The scale of the intensity axis is not indicated.) What percentage of the light's initial intensity is transmitted by the system when theta2 = 46o?

Explanation / Answer

you get zero intensity when you are 90 degrees from one of the polarizers

so we gets no intensity at 0 and 90

so 1 and 3 ahve to be at 0 and 90

so

I = cos(46)^2*cos( 90-46)^2 = cos(46 degrees)^2*cos(44 degrees)^2=0.2497

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