Skip to content

Question

What is the maximum intensity of light transmitted through three polaroids when the first and third are
crossed, and the middle one is rotated, if the initial intensity is \( I_0 \)?

Options

Choose one · Correct answer highlighted

Explanation

**Polaroid rotation** intensity varies sinusoidally with angle due to Malus law I = I₀ cos²θ, when polaroid rotated 90° from initial, intensity goes from max to zero, for unpolarized light rotating polaroid does not change intensity after first polaroid because average, but second polaroid intensity depends on relative angle, explains why intensity transmitted through two polaroids drops to zero when perpendicular. For crossed polaroids, intensity after the second polaroid is I₀ cos² θ , and after the third (at 90° - θ ) is I = I₀ cos² θ sin² θ = (I₀/4) sin² 2θ . Maximum occurs at θ = 45° , so I

Discussion

Comments

0 comments

No comments yet. Be the first to start the discussion.