A horizontally polarized laser beam is incident on a surface that reflects 20 % of…
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Waves Sound and Physical Optics · Waves Sound and Physical Optics
Problem
A horizontally polarized laser beam is incident on a surface that reflects 20 % of the incident energy specularly and 80 % diffusely. The specularly reflected light maintains the horizontal polarization, whereas the diffusely reflected light is completely unpolarized. A vertical polarizer (transmission axis 90° to the initial polarization) is placed in front of a detector aligned with the specular reflection direction. Which of the following best approximates the fraction of the reflected energy that reaches the detector compared to the situation with no polarizer?
(a) Approximately 20% of the reflected energy reaches the detector.
(b) Approximately 40% of the reflected energy reaches the detector.
(c) Approximately 0% of the reflected energy reaches the detector.
(d) Approximately 60% of the reflected energy reaches the detector.