Brewster's Angle: Reflection and Refraction Intensity

AI Thread Summary
At Brewster's angle, unpolarized light incident on a quartz surface results in only s-polarized reflections and both s and p-polarized refractions. The intensity of the refracted light is approximately 50% due to the random nature of unpolarized light, which averages out the polarization effects. To determine the intensity of reflected s-light and transmitted s and p-light, one should focus on a single surface rather than a stack of quartz. Malus' law can be applied to calculate the intensity of the refracted light, but the angle used must correspond to the specific conditions of the incident light. Understanding these principles is essential for accurately analyzing light behavior at Brewster's angle.
quietrain
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ok, at brewster angle ,i know when unpolarized light incident on a quartz stack has only s polarized reflections and , s & p polarized refractions into the quartz.

but why is the intensity of refracted light 50% if quartz don't absorb light? is it due to the random nature of unpolarized light so on the average, its 50%?

also, how do i know what is the intensity of the s-light reflected and the s-light refracted with the p-light? am i suppose to use malus' law for the refracted part? but what will be my angle? 90? then what about the reflected part?

thanks
 
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Don't work your problem with a stack of quartz; that clutters things up. Focus on a single surface.
 
ok if i work with only 1 piece, then how do i know the intensity of the reflected s-light? and the transmitted s and p light?
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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