A beam of unpolarized visible light of initial average intensity I0 is incident on a single ideal linear polarizing sheet whose transmission axis is oriented vertically.
Assume the sheet does not absorb energy except that associated with polarization selection. The following questions refer to the light after it has interacted with the sheet.
(a) Describe, in words, how the polarizing sheet alters the electric–field oscillations of the incident light.
(b) Determine the fraction of the initial average intensity that is transmitted through the sheet. Express your answer as a numerical factor multiplied by I0 and explain your reasoning.
(c) The incident light has an rms electric–field amplitude E0,rms. Calculate the rms electric–field amplitude of the transmitted light in terms of E0,rms. Provide a brief justification that connects field amplitude and intensity.