What is the intensity of the transmitted light?

[yjk91]

Homework Statement

Two polarizers are out of alignment by 30°. If light of intensity 3.86 W/m2 and initially polarized halfway between the polarizing angles of the two filters passes through the two filters, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

The Attempt at a Solution

Use Malus' law:

I = I0 * cos(theta)
which gives me 3.34 W/m2

but it's not right... any hints?
should i divide it by 2 since it says that it is polarized halfway between ?

 

[kuruman]

You have the wrong expression for Malus' law.

 

[yjk91]

i forgot square

I = I0 * cos(theta)^2 other than that it's right

 

[kuruman]

So how would you go about solving this now that you have the correct form of Malus' Law?