Question

Horizontally-polarized light passes through a polarizing sheet, and only 15 % of the intensity of the incident light is transmitted through the sheet. What angle does the polarization of the light make with the horizontal after passing through the polarizer?

Answer 1

To develop this problem it is necessary to apply the concepts related to the law of Malus.

Malus's law defines that,

`I = I_0 cos^2\theta`

Where

`I_0 =` Intensity of incident light

I = Intensity of polarized light

Therefore according to the information

`I = I_0 (15)/(100)`

`I = 0.15I_0`

Equation we have that

`0.15 I_0 = I_0 (15)/(100)`

`cos^2\theta = 0.15`

`cos\theta = 0.3872`

`\theta = cos^(-1)(0.3872)`

`\theta = 67.2\°`

Therefore the angle the polarization of the light make with the horizontal after passing through the polarizer is 67.2°