Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 29 - Think and Explain - Page 560-561: 52

Answer

See below.

Work Step by Step

Suppose that the ideal Polaroid filter has its transmission axis oriented along the horizontal direction, the x-axis. Then, the filter transmits all of the light's x-components, and none of the perpendicular y-components (i.e., the vertical components). Roughly speaking, random unpolarized light can be resolved (like a vector) into components along the x-direction, and an equal number along the y-direction. An ideal Polaroid filter lets through only the components that are parallel to its transmission axis, which is half of the incoming unpolarized light..
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