Question

If you take two polarizers and put them at right angles to each other's vertical, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

Answer 1

zero

Step-by-step explanation:

The intensity of the light passing through a set of two polarizers is given by Malus Law:

`I=I_0 cos^2 \theta`

where

`I_0` is the initial intensity of the light before the filter

`I` is the light intensity after the two polarizers

`\theta` is the direction between the axes of the polarizers

In this problem, the two polarizers are placed at right angle to each other's vertical, so the angle is

`\theta=90^(\circ)`

Therefore, the intensity of the transmitted light is:

`I=I_0 (cos 90^(\circ))^2 = I_0 \cdot 0 = 0`

So, no light will pass through the polarizers.