Sample Questions on Malus Law

Question 1: What is the difference between unpolarized light and plane-polarized light?

Answer:

Ordinary (or unpolarized) light and plane polarized light vary in that the former oscillates in a single plane alone, while the latter has vibrations occurring inside it at random angles without any plane. Using an organic filter is another way to polarize light.

Question 2: Two consecutive polaroid (P1 and P2) are exposed to unpolarized light, and the polaroid P1 forms an angle of θ with the axis of P2. Determine the ultimate outgoing light’s intensity?

Answer:

A light beam without polarization travels through two consecutive polaroid.

We are aware that the intensity of unpolarized light decreases to half as it travels through a Polaroid. In the event that it traverses any further polaroid, the intensity determined by Malus law .The angle θ in this case is between the polaroid’s intensity variation axis and 0 to 2π. The curve is nothing (cos2 θ).

Question 3: How Is Light Intensity Measured?

Answer:

You must first measure the distance between the light source and the spot in order to determine the intensity of the light. Decide on the S.I. units for the distance.

For instance, the unit should be 0.56 m if the point of application is 56 cm from the light source.

Malus Law, also known as Malus Law of Polarization, is a fundamental principle in optics that describes how the intensity of polarized light changes as it passes through a polarizer. It is named after Étienne-Louis Malus, a French physicist who formulated the law in 1808.

In this article, we will discuss the concept of Malus Law which describes the intensity of change in the intensity of polarized light.