Suppose you have a polarized light source in your lab that has an intensity of 1

Question

Suppose you have a polarized light source in your lab that has an intensity of 1142 W/m2, where the electric field oscillates in the z direction. The light travels toward a workbench where you can send it through either one of two polarizing filters.

(a) If the light passes through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 45.0° from the z direction, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?
W/m2

(b) If, instead, the light passes through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 90.0° from the z direction, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?
W/m2

Explanation / Answer

Part A

Intensity of passed light

I = Io cos^2(theta)

Io = 1142 W/m^2

theta = 45 degrees

I = 1142 cos^2(45)

I = 571 W/m^2

Part B

theta = 90 degrees

cos 90 = 0

so Intensity = 0

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