The following items are positioned in sequence: A source of a beam of natural light of intensity I0, three ideal polarizers A, B, and C; and an observer. Polarizer axis angles are measured clockwise from the vertical, as viewed by the observer. The axis angle of polarizer A is set at 0° (vertical), and the axis angle of polarizer C is set at 50°. The axis angle of polarizer B is set at 120°. What is ratio of the intensity of the beam at the observer to the intensity I0 of the source?

Question

Physics

Trevin Patel

21 December, 17:43

The following items are positioned in sequence: A source of a beam of natural light of intensity I0, three ideal polarizers A, B, and C; and an observer. Polarizer axis angles are measured clockwise from the vertical, as viewed by the observer. The axis angle of polarizer A is set at 0° (vertical), and the axis angle of polarizer C is set at 50°. The axis angle of polarizer B is set at 120°. What is ratio of the intensity of the beam at the observer to the intensity I0 of the source?

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Kiersten Baldwin · Answer 1

Intensity of unpolarized light = I (o)

Intensity of light after first polarization by polarizer A. = I (o) / 2

Angle between A and B = 120 degree.

Intensity of light after second polarization = I Cos² θ

= I (o) / 2 x cos²120 = I (o) / 8.

Angle between B and C is 70 degree

Intensity of light after third polarization =

I (o) / 8 x Cos² 70 = 0.1156 x I (o) / 8 =

Required ratio =.01445