This is actually problem number 38 from the 7th Edition Physics by Cutnell and J

Question

This is actually problem number 38 from the 7th Edition Physics by Cutnell and Johnson.
Unpolarized light falls on a polarizer. The angle of the analyzer is = 60o . The unpolarized light is replaced by light of the same intensity, but now the light is polarized along the direction of the polarizer's transmission axis. By how many additional degrees must the analyzer be rotated so that the light falling on the photocell will have the same intensity as it did originally? Explain whether is increased or decreased by this additional rotation.

Explanation / Answer

after the unpolarized light passes through the polarizer, its intensity will be Io/2

Io*cos2 = (Io/2)*cos2 60

cos = (0.5cos260)

cos = cos60 * 0.5

cos = 0.35355

= 69.295

therefore, the analyzer has to be rotate 69.295 - 60 = 9.295 degree

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