Practice question
Question
Why does the intensity of light remain unaffected by changes in its speed during refraction?
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. Intensity depends on the square of the amplitude, which remains constant during refraction, while speed changes do not alter the energy per unit area. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n
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