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Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the polarizers are oriented so that no light emerges through the second polarizer. A third polarizer is now inserted between the first two and its orientation direction is continuously rotated through 180°.
What is the maximum fraction of the incident power transmitted through all three polarizers?
    Correct answer is '0.125'. Can you explain this answer?
    Verified Answer
    Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the p...
    Let incident intensity be I
    Intensity after first polarizer = 
    Intensity after the second polarizer = I1 cosØ

    where Ø s the angle between the polarizer pass axis of the second polarizer and first polarizer
    Intensity of light through the 3rd polarizer is 
    Intensity of light through the 3rd polarizer is I= I2 cos2 θ
    where θ is the angle between pass axis polarizer 2 and 3. For I3 to be maximum.

    Put  because
    the first and third polarizers are orthogonal

    Put 

    Fraction is 0.125
    The correct answer is: 0.125
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    Most Upvoted Answer
    Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the p...
    Degrees. As the third polarizer is rotated, the intensity of the light that emerges from the second polarizer will vary sinusoidally.

    Initially, when the third polarizer is not inserted, all the light that is incident on the first polarizer is blocked by it. Therefore, no light emerges from the second polarizer.

    When the third polarizer is inserted, its orientation is continuously rotated through 180 degrees. This means that at one extreme, the third polarizer is perpendicular to the first polarizer, and at the other extreme, it is parallel to the first polarizer.

    When the third polarizer is perpendicular to the first polarizer, it blocks all the light that is incident on it. Therefore, no light emerges from the second polarizer.

    When the third polarizer is parallel to the first polarizer, it allows all the light that is incident on it to pass through. Therefore, all the light that is incident on the first polarizer also emerges from the second polarizer.

    As the third polarizer is continuously rotated, its orientation changes continuously from being perpendicular to being parallel to the first polarizer. This means that the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the third polarizer and reach the second polarizer varies continuously.

    The intensity of the light that emerges from the second polarizer is directly proportional to the amount of light incident on it. Therefore, as the third polarizer is rotated, the intensity of the light that emerges from the second polarizer will vary sinusoidally.

    The intensity will be maximum when the third polarizer is parallel to the first polarizer, and it will be minimum when the third polarizer is perpendicular to the first polarizer. The intensity will vary sinusoidally between these two extremes as the third polarizer is continuously rotated.
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    Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the polarizers are oriented so that no light emerges through the second polarizer. A third polarizer is now inserted between the first two and its orientation direction is continuously rotated through 180°.What is the maximum fraction of the incident power transmitted through all three polarizers?Correct answer is '0.125'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the polarizers are oriented so that no light emerges through the second polarizer. A third polarizer is now inserted between the first two and its orientation direction is continuously rotated through 180°.What is the maximum fraction of the incident power transmitted through all three polarizers?Correct answer is '0.125'. Can you explain this answer? for Physics 2024 is part of Physics preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Physics exam syllabus. Information about Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the polarizers are oriented so that no light emerges through the second polarizer. A third polarizer is now inserted between the first two and its orientation direction is continuously rotated through 180°.What is the maximum fraction of the incident power transmitted through all three polarizers?Correct answer is '0.125'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Physics 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Unpolarized light is incident on two ideal polarizers in series, the polarizers are oriented so that no light emerges through the second polarizer. A third polarizer is now inserted between the first two and its orientation direction is continuously rotated through 180°.What is the maximum fraction of the incident power transmitted through all three polarizers?Correct answer is '0.125'. Can you explain this answer?.
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