Some unpolarized light has an intensity of 1375 W/m2 before passing through three polarizing filters. The transmission axis of the first filter is vertical. The second filter's transmission axis is 31.0° from vertical. The third filter's transmission axis is 41.0° from vertical. What is the intensity of the light that emerges from the three filters?

intensity of the light that emerges from the three filters is 560.80 W/m²

Explanation:

Given data

intensity I = 1375 W/m2

angle 1 = 31.0°

angle 2 = 41.0°

to find out

intensity of the light that emerges from the three filters

solution

we know intensity of light pass 1st polarize = I/2 = 1375 / 2 = 687.5 W/m2

so intensity after 2nd polarize pass = I 1st cos² (θ)

I 2nd = 687.5 cos² (31) = 687.5 (0.836754) = 575.27 W/m2

and

intensity after 3rd polarize pass = I 2nd cos² (θ)

I 3rd = 575.27 cos² (41) = 575.27 (0.974839) = 560.80 W/m2

so that intensity of the light that emerges from the three filters is 560.80 W/m²