Polarization: ratio of transmitted to incident intensity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the ratio of transmitted intensity to incident intensity for unpolarized light passing through three polarizers at specified angles. Using Malus' law, the total angle of the transmission axes is determined to be 71°. The intensity ratio after passing through the polarizers is calculated as S/S0 = cos²(71°), resulting in a value of 0.11. The conversation also emphasizes the need to analyze the intensity after each polarizer individually. The final ratio indicates significant attenuation of the light intensity due to the polarizers' orientations.
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Homework Statement



A beam of unpolarized light is incident on a series of three polarizers as shown. The angle of the transmission axis of each polarizer is indicated by the dashed line, with q1 = 110, q2 =230, and q3 = 370 (all defined relative to vertical). What is the ratio of the transmitted intensity to the incident intensity?


Homework Equations



Malus' law S=S0cos2θ

The Attempt at a Solution



S/S0=cos2θ

θ=11°+23°+37°=71°

S/S0=cos2(71)=0.11
 
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After passing thru the first polarizer, what is the angle and intensity? Then, after passing thru the second polarizer, what is the angle and intensity? Finally, after passing thru the third polarizer, what is the angle and intensity?
 

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