- #1
Dart82
- 57
- 0
Homework Statement
Light that is polarized along the vertical direction is incident on a sheet of polarizing material. Only 66% of the intensity of the light passes through the sheet and strikes a second sheet of polarizing material. No light passes through the second sheet. What angle does the transmission axis of the second sheet make with the vertical?[URL=http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lightintensityds5.png][PLAIN]http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2071/lightintensityds5.th.png[/URL][/PLAIN]
Homework Equations
If light intensity = S, then the light passing through a polarizer = (1/2)S
Malus Law: Averge intensity of light leaving the analyzer = (.5*S)cos^2(theta)
The Attempt at a Solution
At 90 degress from the vertical, the polarizer would block all light from passing through. however the problem states that 66% of the light passes through the polarizer. I think that an angle that is 33% of 90 degrees would allow 66% of the light to pass through the polarizer. if i am correct in thinking that a polarizer must be at 90 degrees to block light, then the analyzer must be at a 90 with the polarizer which is at a 30 degree angle with respect to the vertical. 30 degrees + 90 degrees = 120 degrees from the vertical.