Calculating Light Intensity through Polarized Lenses | Polarization Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the final intensity of light passing through three polarized lenses with specific angles. The initial intensity of the light is 75 W/m², and the calculation involves applying Malus's Law, which states that the intensity after passing through a polarizer is I = I₀ * cos²(θ), where θ is the angle between the light's polarization direction and the axis of the polarizer. The final intensity calculated is 2.84 W/m², confirming that the method used by the user, KingJaymz, is correct according to the example provided in class.

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KingJaymz
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Hello everyone. I wanted to make sure I did this problem correctly. The problem is this:
A light with an intensity of 75 W/m^2 is shone through three polarized lenses. The first lens is tilted at a 37 degree angle, the second is at a 10 degree angle and the final lens is titled by 82 degrees. Find the final intensity of the light.

So this is my work:

75 W/m^2 X 1/2 (half of the light is filtered through the first lens) X cos^2(37-10) X cos^2(82-10) = 2.84 W/m^2

Is this the proper way to do this problem? This is the way our example from class was calculated, but I was a little bit hazy on the details, so I wanted to make sure that I did the work right. Thank you all.
 
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Originally posted by KingJaymz
Is this the proper way to do this problem?
Yes. I didn't check your arithmetic, but your method is correct.
 
Thank you very much. I've been away from this stuff for so long that it makes me question my methods at times.
 

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