【Daily Question】Theoretical Foundation 2020.06.10
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Multiple-choice question: A beam of light is a mixture of natural light and polarized light. When this light passes through a polarizer, and the polarizer is rotated around the axis of the incident beam, it is found that the maximum intensity of the transmitted light is 5 times the minimum intensity. What is the ratio of the intensity of the natural light to that of the polarized light in the incident beam? ( ) (A) 1/2 (B) 1/5 (C) 1/3 (D) 2. Answer: A. Hint: Those who can explain the solution process will receive an additional reward; the answer can be found in the response!
A. The intensity of natural light after passing through a polarizer is I = I0/2. The intensity of polarized light after passing through a polarizer follows Malus’s law: Imax = IP + I0/2, Imin = I0/2; the ratio Imax/Imin is 5, and I0/IP is 1/2.