Three polarizers are stacked as shown. The first has a axis of transmission orie

Question

Three polarizers are stacked as shown. The first has a axis of transmission oriented vertically. The second has an axis of transmission oriented at 30 degrees form the vertical. The third has an axis of transmission oriented at 45 degrees from the vertical. Light of a measured intensity, I, is sent through these three polarizers from the left. You measure an intensity of 0.35 I after the light passes through all three polarizers on the right. In which way was the light originally polarized before passing through the first polarizer? Note that more than one of the answers below might be correct The light was initially polarized at 45 degrees from the vertical The light was initially polarized at 60 degrees from the vertical. The light was initially polarized at 75 degrees from the vertical.

Explanation / Answer

if light was unpolarized then,

I1 = I (cos(theta))^2 = I (cos(30))^2 = 0.75 I

then If = I1 cos(45-30)^2 = (0.75I)(cos15)^2 = 0.70 I

so iflight was unpolarized initially then

If = 0.70I/2 = 0.35 I

Ans:The light was initially unpolarized.

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