Question

Two polarizers are oriented at 40.0° to one another. Light polarized at a 20.0° angle to each polarizer passes through both. What percent reduction in intensity takes place?

Answer 1

The percent reduction in intensity for light passing through two polarizers oriented at a 40.0° angle to one another is approximately 42.69%.

Step-by-step explanation:

When light passes through a polarizer, the intensity of the light is reduced by a certain percentage. The intensity reduction can be calculated using Malus' Law, which states that the intensity of the light transmitted through two polarizers is equal to the cosine squared of the angle between the transmission axes of the polarizers. In this case, the angle between the transmission axes of the two polarizers is 40.0°. So, the percent reduction in intensity can be calculated as follows:

Percent reduction = (cos^2(angle)) x 100

Substituting the given angle of 40.0° into the equation, we get:

Percent reduction = (cos^2(40.0°)) x 100 ≈ 42.69%

Therefore, the percent reduction in intensity is approximately 42.69%.