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For each of the three sheets of polarizing material shown in the drawing, the or

ID: 2019366 • Letter: F

Question

For each of the three sheets of polarizing material shown in the drawing, the orientation of the transmission axis is labeled relative to the vertical. The incident beam of light is unpolarized and has an intensity of 1030.0 W/m2. What is the intensity of the beam transmitted through the three sheets when ?1 = 19.0°, ?2 = 56.5° and ?3 = 100.0°?

_______ W/m2

It has a picture below but it doesn't really give any more information. The solution that is on cramster on the book isn't right and is rated a 1...can someone with some expertise help me out? Here is the link to the original question:

http://www.cramster.com/solution/solution/919113 (remember my theta(2) is different)

Thanks!!

Explanation / Answer

The initial beam is unpolarized, so as it passes through the first polarizer, its intensity drops to half, or I' = I(0)/2 = (1030 W/m^2)/2 = 515 W/m^2 Now the beam is polarized to the angle of 19 degrees, so the angle that the second polarizer makes to this is 56.5 - 19 = 37.5 degrees, so as the light with intensity I' enters it, its resulting intensity is I'' = I' cos^2(37.5) = (515 W/m^2)cos^2(37.5) = 324 W/m^2 Now, this beam is polarized to 56.5 degrees from the vertical, so the last polarizer makes an angle of 100 - 56.5 = 43.5 degrees, so the final intensity is I''' = I'' cos^(43.5) = (324 W/m^2)cos^2(43.5) = 170 W/m^2 Hope this clears it up for you. Good luck.