The light beam in the figure passes through a polarizer whose transmission axis makes an angle ϕ with the vertical. The beam is partially polarized and partially unpolarized, and the average intensity S̅0 of the incident light is the sum of the average intensity S̅0, polar of the polarized light and the average intensity S̅0, unpolar of the unpolarized light; S̅0 = S̅0, polar + S̅0, unpolar. The intensity S of the transmitted light is also the sum of two parts: S̅ = S̅polar + S̅unpolar. As the polarizer is rotated clockwise, the intensity of the transmitted light has a minimum value of S̅ = 2.0 W/m2 when ϕ = 20.0° and has a maximum value of S̅ = 8.0 W/m2 when the angle is ϕ = ϕmax.

Concepts:

(i) How is SÌ…unpolar related to SÌ…0, unpolar?

(ii) How is SÌ…polar related to SÌ…0, polar?

Calculations:

(a) What is the intensity SÌ…0, unpolar of the incident light that is unpolarized?

(b) What is the intensity SÌ…0, polar of the incident light that is polarized?

Transcribed Image Text:

Incident light Transmitted light 5o So, polan +So, unpolar S Spolar +Sunpolar