Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 33 - Electromagnetic Waves - Problems - Page 1003: 34

Answer

The intensity of light that is transmitted by the system is $~~19~W/m^2$

Work Step by Step

Let $I_0$ be the original intensity of the light. Since the light is initially unpolarized, half the intensity will be transmitted through the first polarizing sheet. $I_1 = \frac{1}{2}I_0$ Note that the angle between $\theta_1$ and $\theta_2$ is $20^{\circ}$ We can find an expression for $I_2$: $I_2 = I_1~cos^2~20^{\circ}$ $I_2 = (\frac{1}{2}I_0)~cos^2~20^{\circ}$ $I_2 = 0.4415~I_0$ We can find the intensity of light that is transmitted by the system: $I = (0.4415)(43~W/m^2)$ $I = 19~W/m^2$ The intensity of light that is transmitted by the system is $~~19~W/m^2$
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