Incident Intensity of light transmitted

In summary, the fraction of the incident intensity Io that is transmitted through the group of three polarizing sheets, with each sheet rotated by 45 degrees clockwise, is E. Io/8. This is calculated by taking the cosine of 45 degrees and squaring it, resulting in .5, and then multiplying it by itself three times, giving a final answer of E. Io/8. This is because each polarizing sheet allows half of the incident intensity to pass through, and there are three sheets in total.
  • #1
Kathi201
40
0
An unpolarized beam of light is incident on a group of three polarizing sheets that are lined up so that the characteristic direction of each is rotated by 45 degrees clockwise with respect to the preceding sheet. What is the fraction of the incident intensity Io that is transmitted?
a. zero
b. Io/2
c. Io/4
d. Io/6
E. Io/8

My thoughts were that if you take the cosine of the angle 45 and square it as shown in the intensity equation you get .5, so therefore the answer would be Io/2, but I am not quite sure if this theory is right.
 
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  • #2
You need to consider what happens as the light passes through each polarizer.
 
  • #3
as it passes through each sheet .5 is passed through each polarizer and there is three of them so would you take .5 x .5 x .5 = .125 which would be E. Io/8 ?
 
  • #4
You got it.
 
  • #5
Thanks for your help!
 

1. What is "incident intensity of light transmitted"?

The incident intensity of light transmitted refers to the amount of light that passes through a material or medium. It is a measure of the strength or brightness of the light that is transmitted through the material.

2. How is the incident intensity of light transmitted measured?

The incident intensity of light transmitted can be measured using a photometer or spectrometer. These instruments measure the intensity of light at different wavelengths and can calculate the overall incident intensity of light transmitted through a material.

3. What factors affect the incident intensity of light transmitted?

The incident intensity of light transmitted can be affected by several factors, including the type and thickness of the material, the wavelength of the light, and the angle at which the light enters the material. Other factors such as the temperature and pressure of the material can also impact the incident intensity of light transmitted.

4. How does the incident intensity of light transmitted relate to the transparency of a material?

The incident intensity of light transmitted is directly related to the transparency of a material. A material with high transparency allows more light to pass through, resulting in a higher incident intensity of light transmitted. Conversely, a material with low transparency will have a lower incident intensity of light transmitted.

5. Why is the incident intensity of light transmitted important in scientific research?

The incident intensity of light transmitted is important in scientific research because it can provide valuable information about the properties of a material. It can also be used to study the behavior of light in different materials and to determine the effectiveness of various materials in transmitting light. Additionally, the incident intensity of light transmitted is often used in experiments to measure the absorbance or transmittance of a material, which can provide insights into its chemical composition and structure.

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