The light beam in the figure passes through a polarizer whose transmission axis
ID: 1362307 • Letter: T
Question
The light beam in the figure passes through a polarizer whose transmission axis makes an angle with the vertical. The beam is partially polarized and partially unpolarized, and the average intensity
S0
of the incident light is the sum of the average intensity
S0, polar
of the polarized light and the average intensity
S0, unpolar
of the unpolarized light;
S0 = S0, polar + S0, unpolar.
The intensity S of the transmitted light is also the sum of two parts:
S = Spolar + Sunpolar.
As the polarizer is rotated clockwise, the intensity of the transmitted light has a minimum value of
S = 2.4 W/m2
when
= 20°
and has a maximum value of
S = 6.0 W/m2
when the angle is
= max.
(Assume that Spolaris the transmitted component of S0, polar and that Sunpolar is the transmitted component of S0, unpolar.)
Concepts:
(i) How is
Sunpolar
related to
S0, unpolar?
(Do not substitute numerical values; use variables only. Use the following as necessary: , and S0unpolar to represent
S0, unpolar.)
Sunpolar
=
(ii) How is
Spolar
related to
S0, polar?
(Do not substitute numerical values; use variables only. Use the following as necessary: , max and S0polar to represent
S0, polar.)
Spolar
=
(iii) The minimum transmitted intensity is
2.4 W/m2.
Why isn't it
0 W/m2?
The minimum transmitted intensity does not occur when
= 0°.
The minimum transmitted intensity does not occur when
= 90°.
Sunpolar does not change as the polarizer is rotated.Spolar does not change as the polarizer is rotated.
Calculations:
(a) What is the intensity
S0, unpolar
of the incident light that is unpolarized?
W/m2
(b) What is the intensity
S0, polar
of the incident light that is polarized?
W/m2
Explanation / Answer
The light beam in the figure passes through a polarizer whose transmission axis
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