The following items are positioned in sequence: A source of a beam of natural li

Question

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?

Explanation / Answer

Source Intensity = Io
Intensity of Light coming out of 1st Polarizer, I1 = Io/2
Intensity of Light coming out of 2nd Polarizer, I2 = Io/2 * cos^2(120)
Intensity of Light coming out of 3rd Polarizer, I3= Io/2 * cos^2(120) * cos^2(70)

Ratio, I3/Io = (Io/2 * cos^2(120) * cos^2(70))/ Io
Ratio, I3/Io = 0.015

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