Two Polaroids P1 and P2 are placed with their axis perpendicular to each other. Unpolarised light I0 is incident on P1. A third polaroid P3 is kept in between P1 and P2 such that its axis makes an angle 45o with that of P1. The intensity of transmitted light through P2 is:
I0/2
I0/8
I0/16
I0/4
Solution:
The correct option is I0/8 Initial intensity=I0 After P1 → I1 = I0/2 After P3 → I2 = I1cos²45o = I0/2 × 1/2 = I0/4 After P2 → I3 = I2cos²45o = I0/4 × 1/2 = I0/8