Unpolarized light passes through three polarizing filters. The first filter bas

Question

Unpolarized light passes through three polarizing filters. The first filter bas its transmission axis parallel to the z direction, the second has its transmission axis at an angle of 30.0 degree from the z direction, and the third has its transmission axis at an angle of 60.0 degree from the z direction. If the light that emerges from the third filter has an intensity of 804.0 W/m^2, what is the original intensity of the light? (Assume both angles are measured in the same direction from the +z axis.)

Explanation / Answer

since the light is unpolarized, the intensity becomes half as it passes through the first one

I1 = I/2

when it passes through second one

I2 = I/2 cos^(theta)

I2 = I/2 cos^30 = 0.375 I

when it passes through the third one

I3 = I2 cos^(theta')

I3 = 0.375 I cos^60 = 0.09375 I

I = I3/0.09375 = 804/0.09375 = 8576 W/m^2

Hence, I = 8576 W/m^2

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