Question

When an unpolarized light of intensity $I_0$ is incident on a polarizing sheet, the intensity of the light which does not get transmitted is :

• A. $\frac{1}{2} I_{0}$
• B. $\frac{1}{4} I_{0}$
• C. zero
• D. $I_0$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$\frac{1}{2} I_{0}$

Answer 2

$I=I_{0}\,cos^{2}\,\theta$ Intensity of polarized light $=\frac{I_{0}}{2}$ $\therefore$ Intensity of untransmitted light $=I_{0}-\frac{I_{0}}{2}=\frac{I_{0}}{2}$