Question

Three polarizing filters are stacked, with the polarizing axis of the second and third filters at 23.0∘ and 62.∘, respectively, to that of the first. If unpolarized light is incident on the stack, the light has intensity 55.0W/cm2

after it passes through the stack. If the incident intensity is kept constant but the second polarizer is removed, what is the intensity of the light after it has passed through the stack?

Answer 1

Using the Malus' Law, the intensity under the given condition can be calculated. the intensity of the light after removing the second polarizer will be equal to the incident intensity.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the intensity of the light after the second polarizer is removed, we can use Malus' Law. According to Malus' Law, the intensity of light transmitted through a polarizer is given by I = I0 * cos^2(θ), where I is the transmitted intensity, I0 is the incident intensity, and θ is the angle between the axis of the polarizer and the polarization direction of the incident light.

In this case, we know that the incident intensity (I0) is 55.0 W/cm^2 and the angle between the first and second polarizers is 23.0°. Substituting the values into the formula, we can calculate the transmitted intensity (I). However, when the second polarizer is removed, the angle (θ) becomes 0°, and cos(0) = 1, so the transmitted intensity (I') will be equal to the incident intensity (I0).

Therefore, the intensity of the light after it passes through the stack without the second polarizer will be 55.0 W/cm^2.