How Does the Angle of Polarizing Sheets Affect Transmitted Light Intensity?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the behavior of light as it passes through multiple polarizing sheets, specifically examining how the angle of these sheets affects the intensity of transmitted light. The context is rooted in optics and the principles of polarization.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the effects of the first polarizer on light intensity and the implications of removing the middle polarizer. There are questions about the specific calculations needed for the intensity after each polarizer and how to approach the problem step by step.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the process of calculating intensity after each polarizer, while others express confusion about the requirements of the problem. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the angles of the polarizers and the resulting light intensity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with the assumption that the initial light is unpolarized and are considering the effects of the polarizers' orientations. There is a mention of specific answers being in terms of X Io, indicating a focus on relative intensity rather than absolute values.

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Homework Statement



Two sheets of polarizing material are placed with their transmission axes at right angles to each other. A third polarizing sheet is placed between them with its transmission axis at 46° to the axis of the first one.

(a) If unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on the system, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?
X Io

(b) What is the intensity of the transmitted light when the middle sheet is removed?
X Io



Homework Equations



I=.5Io
I=Iocos2theta

The Attempt at a Solution



I am confused on what they want! (the answers are in X Io
 
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so i got b is zero(which is correct). is A the same?
 
No, A is different.

Break it up into single steps. You already know what the first polarizer does to intensity. Each addition polarizer transmission depends on it's angle relative to the previous polarizer.
 
i tried every thing and i can't figure it out. is there any more hints
 
Step 1:
What is the intensity after the 1st polarizer?
 

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