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Chapter 11: Problem 19

A beam of unpolarized light is passed through two polarizers. If the polarization axis of the second polarizer is crossed at an angle of \(90^{\circ}\) with respect to the axis of the first polarizer, then the intensity of light seen by someone located to the right of the second polarizer is (A) the intensity of the original light. (B) one-half the intensity of the original light. (C) one-quarter the intensity of the original light. (D) one-eighth the intensity of the original light. (E) zero.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: (E) zero

Step by step solution

01

Write down Malus' Law

Malus' Law states that the intensity of light (I) passing through two polarizers is given by the formula: \(I = I_0 \cos^2{\theta}\) where \(I_0\) is the initial intensity of the light, \(\theta\) is the angle between the polarization axes of the two polarizers, and I is the final intensity of the light.
02

Plug in given angle

In this problem, the angle between the axes of the polarizers is given as \(90^{\circ}\). We will plug this into the formula for Malus' Law. \(I = I_0 \cos^2{90^{\circ}}\)
03

Calculate the final intensity

Now we will calculate the final intensity of the light using the formula: \(I = I_0 \cos^2{90^{\circ}}\) Since \(\cos{90^{\circ}} = 0\), the formula becomes: \(I = I_0 \cdot 0^2\) \(I = 0\)
04

Choose the correct answer

The final intensity of the light after passing through the two polarizers is 0. This corresponds to answer choice (E): zero.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A beam of light traveling through a piece of glass emerges into air. Which of the following statements is true as the light exits the glass? i. The speed of light stays the same; ii. The light speeds up; iii. The light slows down; iv. The frequency of the light stays the same; v. The frequency of the light increases; vi. The frequency of the light decreases; vii. The wavelength of the light stays the same; viii. The wavelength of the light increases; ix. The wavelength of the light decreases. (A) i, iv, vii (B) i, v and vii (C) ii, iv and viii (D) ii, v, ix (E) iii, iv and ix

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