Question

If you take two polarizers and put them at right angles to each other's vertical, what is the intensity of the transmitted light?

Answer 1

Answer:

zero

Explanation:

The intensity of the light passing through a set of two polarizers is given by Malus Law:

$I=I_0 cos^2 \theta$

where

$I_0$ is the initial intensity of the light before the filter

$I$ is the light intensity after the two polarizers

$\theta$ is the direction between the axes of the polarizers

In this problem, the two polarizers are placed at right angle to each other's vertical, so the angle is

$\theta=90^{\circ}$

Therefore, the intensity of the transmitted light is:

$I=I_0 (cos 90^{\circ})^2 = I_0 \cdot 0 = 0$

So, no light will pass through the polarizers.