Question

Unpolarized light passes through a vertical polarizing filter, emerging with an intensity I0. The light then passes through a horizontal filter, which blocks all of the light; the intensity transmitted through the pair of filters is zero. Suppose a third polarizer with axis 45 ? from vertical is inserted between the first two.

What is the transmitted intensity now?
Express your answer in terms of I0. I got I0/8. But this is not right. I guess they want a number?

Answer 1

I₂ = 0.25 I₀

Step-by-step explanation:

To know the light transmitted by a filter we must use the law of Malus

I = I₀ cos² θ

In this case, the intensity of the light that passes through the first polarizer is I₀, it reaches the second polarized, which is at 45⁰, therefore the intensity I1 comes out of it.

I₁ = I₀ cos² 45

I₁ = I₀ 0.5

this is the light that reaches the third polarizer, which is at 45⁰ with respect to the second, from this comes the intensity I₂

I₂ = I₁ cos² 45

I₂ = (I₀ 0.5) 0.5

I₂ = 0.25 I₀

this is the intensity of the light transmitted by the set of polarizers