Unpolarised light of intensity is incident successively on three Polaroid sheets

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Wave Optics · Wave Optics

Problem

Unpolarised light of intensity

5\,\text{W\,m}^{-2}

is incident successively on three Polaroid sheets. The transmission axis of the first sheet

P_1

is vertical. The axis of the second sheet

P_2

is inclined at

60^{\circ}

to the vertical. The axis of the third sheet

P_3

is horizontal (i.e. at

90^{\circ}

P_1

). (i) Calculate the intensity of light after passing through

P_1

and

P_2

. (ii) Determine the intensity of light emerging from

P_3

. (iii) If

P_2

is removed while

P_1

and

P_3

remain in position, what is the intensity transmitted? Comment on the difference between the two situations.