Question

If the angle made by the axis of polarization of the second polarizer to that of the first polarizer is 60°, what can you say about the intensity of the light transmitted by the second polarizer?

Answer 1

If I₁ is the intensity of the light incident on the second polarizer and I₂ is the intensity of the light transmitted by the second polarizer, 

I₂ = I₁ cos² θ 

= I₁ cos² 60°

=  I_{1 \((\cfrac12)^2\)} 

_{= \(\cfrac{I_1}4\)}