Question

Unpolarized light with an intensity of 510 W / m² is incident on a polarizer with an unknown axis. The light then passes through a second polarizer with has an axis which makes an angle of 83.0° with the vertical. After the light passes through the second polarizer, its intensity has dropped to 164 W / m². What is the angle between the axes of the polarizers? (Please provide an explanation along with use of equations. Thank you.)

Answer 1

An ideal polarizer produces linearly polarized lightfrom unpolarized light. Two ideal polarizers would eliminate all light if their transmission directions are placed at right angles

Applying the law of malus

(I(final)=I(initial)*(cos(theta))^2 )

When unpolarized light is incident on a polarizer, it will decrease intensity of its polarity by half i.e, intensity would be 510/2 = 255 W/m^2.

164=255(cos(theta))^2

So, Theta = 36.68 degrees
angle between the axes of the polarizers is 36.68 degrees