What is the angle for perfect light blockage through a polarizer?

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To achieve perfect light blockage through a polarizer, the second polarizer must be oriented at 123 degrees relative to the horizontal axis, as this creates a 90-degree difference from the first polarizer set at 33 degrees. For allowing only one-third of the light to pass, the angle of the second polarizer should be approximately 87.7 degrees from the horizontal axis, calculated using Malus' law. There is confusion regarding the angle difference, as the instructor suggests using the left-hand side of the equation differently. The calculations indicate that the angle difference should be derived from the final and initial angles. Clarification is needed to resolve the discrepancy in understanding the angle relationships.
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Homework Statement



Unpolarized light passes through a polarizer oriented at 33 degrees from the horizontal axis.

1) At what angle (relative to the horizontal axis) would you place a polarizer so that no light passes through it?
2) At what angle (relative to the horizontal axis) would you place a polarizer so that only a third of the light from the

Homework Equations



Malus' law
I/I0 = cos(θ)^{2}

The Attempt at a Solution



1) Light into the second polarizer is polarized at an angle of 33 degrees. No light will pass through the second polarizer if the difference in angles is 90°, so the second polarizer should be at an angle of 90° + 33° = 123°.

2)
\frac{1}{3}= cos(θ)^{2} where θ is the difference in angles between the two polarizers.
θ difference = arccos(\sqrt{\frac{1}{3}})
θ_{final} - θ{_initial} = arccos(\sqrt{\frac{1}{3}})
θ_{final} - 33° = arccos(\sqrt{\frac{1}{3}})
θ = 54.7° + 33° = 87.7° from the horizontal axis

But my instructor says that the left-hand side of the equation is θ_{final} - θ{_initial}, which results in θ = 54.7° - 33°, so I'm confused now... have I done these two correctly?
 
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This is a physics problem, not math so I am moving it.
 
I'm sorry, I must have been looking at the wrong section when I posted it.
 
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