Light shines through two polarizers. Initially, both transmission axes are aligned and then the second polarizer is rotated while the other remains fixed. Sketch the intensity of the transmitted light as a function of the angle through which the second polarizer is rotated. Please give a detailed explanation of your results.

Light shines through two polarizes. Initially, both transmission axes are aligned and then the second polarize is rotated while the other remains fixed

Explanation:

The Law of Malus gives the value of  transmitted intensity through two ideal polarizes. Also When we rotate  second polarizer , the vector component perpendicular to its transmission plane is absorbed, and  its amplitude  is reduced to

θ

let I be the intensity of transmitted light in the y-axis while the degrees in the x-axis  be -90, 180, 270, and 360.

For 0⁰ transmitted intensity = cos²(0⁰) = 1 (1st maximum on graph)

For 90⁰ transmitted intensity = cos²(90⁰) = 0 (1st minimum on graph)

For 180⁰ transmitted intensity = cos²(180⁰) = 1 (2nd maximum on graph)

For 270⁰ transmitted intensity = cos²(270⁰) = 0 (2nd minimum on graph)

For 360⁰ transmitted intensity = cos²(360⁰) = 1 (3rd maximum on graph)

b would be the answer