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Solved problems for the chapter:

Polarization

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Introduction to Light

1. Speed of light

2. Wavelength and frequency of light

3. Sources of light

3.1. Light sources based on black body radiation

3.2. Light emission due to changes in the energy levels of atoms

4. Luminous intensity and illuminance

5. Light perception

6. Forum

↓ Show theory [1] ↓

Detailed solution steps are available at:

https://en.openprof.com/wb/chapter:polarization/4064/

Example 1.

Which phenomenon is associated with transverse waves but not longitudinal waves?

polarisation
reflection
refraction
superposition

Example 2.

A vertically polarised beam of light of intensity is incident normally on a polarising filter. The transmission axis of the filter is at to the vertical. The beam of light transmitted by this filter is then incident normally on a second filter. The transmission axis of the second filter is horizontal.

What is the intensity of the beam of light after transmission through the second filter?

If a wave can be polarised, it must be

a longitudinal wave.
an electromagnetic wave.
a sound wave.
a transverse wave.

A vertically polarised beam of light is incident normally on a polarising filter. The transmission axis of the filter is at an angle of to the horizontal.

What is the ratio

Polarisation is a phenomenon associated with light waves but not with sound waves.
- State the meaning of polarisation.
- State why light waves can be plane polarised but sound waves cannot.
Two polarising filters A and B are positioned so that their planes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to a central axis line XY, as shown in the figure below.

The transmission axis of filter A is vertical and the transmission axis of filter B is horizontal. Unpolarised light of a single frequency is directed along the line XY from a source positioned at X. The light emerging from filter A is vertically plane polarised and has intensity .

Filter B is rotated from its starting position about the line XY, as shown in the figure. After rotation, the intensity of the light emerging from filter B is . Calculate the angle of rotation of filter B from its starting position.

A beam of vertically polarised light of intensity is incident normally on a polarising filter that has its transmission axis at to the vertical, as shown in the figure below

The transmitted light from the first polarising filter has intensity . This light is then incident normally on a second polarising filter that has its transmission axis at to the vertical. The transmitted light from the second filter has intensity .

Calculate:

the ratio
the ratio

If a wave can be polarised, it must be

a longitudinal wave.
an electromagnetic wave.
a sound wave.
a transverse wave.

Which of the following types of wave can be polarised?

a longitudinal progressive wave
a longitudinal stationary wave
a transverse stationary wave
a transverse sound wave

A student investigates the polarisation of microwaves. The microwaves from the transmitter are vertically polarised. A metal grille acts as a polarising filter when placed between the microwave transmitter and the receiver. The reading on the voltmeter is proportional to the intensity of microwaves transmitted through the grille. When the transmission axis of the grille is vertical, the voltmeter reads .

The grille is then rotated through an angle . The voltmeter now reads . What is ?

10.

A beam of vertically polarised light is incident normally on a polarising filter. The filter can be rotated so that it is always in a plane perpendicular to the beam. The transmission axis of the filter is initially vertical.

The filter is first rotated clockwise by an angle of so that the transmitted light waves have intensity . The filter is then rotated clockwise by a further angle of . What is the new intensity of the transmitted light waves?

11.

A source of plane polarised light is observed through two polarising filters.

The filters are positioned so that the source appears at its brightest. One of the filters is then rotated clockwise and the other filter is rotated anticlockwise through the same angle. How does the source appear when both filters have been rotated and from their initial positions?


A	brightest	brightest
B	brightest	darkest
C	darkest	brightest
D	darkest	darkest

12.

Which type of waves cannot be polarised?

radio waves
sound waves
ultraviolet waves
X-rays

13.

Two polarising filters are placed next to each other so that their planes are parallel. The first polarising filter has its transmission axis at an angle of to the vertical. The second polarising filter has its transmission axis at an angle of to the vertical. The angle between the transmission axes of the two polarising filters is . A beam of vertically polarised light of intensity is incident normally on the first polarising filter. What is the intensity of the light that is transmitted from the second polarising filter?

zero

14.

Which statement describes a situation when polarisation could not occur?

Light waves are reflected.
Light waves are scattered.
Microwaves pass through a metal grid.
Sound waves pass through a metal grid

15.

When plane-polarised light of amplitude is passed through a polarising filter as shown, the amplitude of the light emerging is .

The intensity of the initial beam is . What is the intensity of the emerging light when is ?

16.

When the liquid crystal display of a calculator is observed through a polarising film, the display changes as the film is rotated. Which property describes the radiation from the calculator display?

unpolarised
a longitudinal wave
a transverse wave
a wave with a wavelength

17.

A plane polarised wave has amplitude . The wave is incident normally on a polarising filter. The transmission axis of the filter is at angle to the plane of polarisation of the incident wave. What is the amplitude of the wave that emerges from the filter?

18.

A beam of vertically polarised monochromatic light is incident normally on a polarising filter, as shown in the figure below

The filter is positioned with its transmission axis at an angle of to the vertical. The incident light has intensity and the transmitted light has intensity .

By considering the ratio , calculate the ratio
The filter is now rotated, about the direction of the light beam, from its starting position shown in the figure above. The direction of rotation is such that the angle of the transmission axis to the vertical initially increases. Calculate the minimum angle through which the filter must be rotated so that the intensity of the transmitted light returns to the value that it had when the filter was at its starting position.

19.

Polarisation is associated with certain waves. Which waves cannot be polarised?

radio waves from a transmitter
sound waves from a moving source
ultraviolet rays from the Sun
X-rays from an X-ray emitter

20.

A beam of vertically polarised monochromatic light is incident on a polarising filter, as shown in the figure below

The transmission axis of the filter is initially vertical and the transmitted light beam has the same intensity as the incident light beam. The filter may be rotated about the direction of the light beam to change the angle of the transmission axis to the vertical.

State one angle of the transmission axis to the vertical that results in no transmitted light beam.
The filter is now positioned with its transmission axis at angle to the vertical, as shown in the second figure blow.

The ratio is equal to .
- Calculate angle
- Calculate the ratio