How is the Relative Angle Between Two Polarizers Determined?

[tica86]

A beam of unpolarized light, with intensity I0, goes through two polarizers. If the intensity of the light coming out of the second polarizer is 1/4 I0 what is the relative angle between the two polarizers??

----I know the answer is 45 degrees---
but if anyone could explain how?? Thanks!

 

[berkeman]

A beam of unpolarized light, with intensity I0, goes through two polarizers. If the intensity of the light coming out of the second polarizer is 1/4 I0 what is the relative angle between the two polarizers??

----I know the answer is 45 degrees---
but if anyone could explain how?? Thanks!

Can you post the Relevant Equations? Is it a linear relationship between crossed polarizers and intensity, or does it follow a different relationship?

 

[tica86]

can you post the relevant equations? Is it a linear relationship between crossed polarizers and intensity, or does it follow a different relationship?

i1=1/2i0
i2=1/4i0

 

[berkeman]

i1=1/2i0
i2=1/4i0

Well okay then. We're all done here. That makes everything obvious. Thanks.

 

[tica86]

Well okay then. We're all done here. That makes everything obvious. Thanks.

I=I0cos^2theta