When unpolarised light of intensity I₀ passes through a single polaroid:
AThe transmitted intensity is I₀ (no change)
BThe transmitted intensity is I₀/2 (only the component parallel to the pass-axis transmits; averaged over random orientations)
CThe transmitted intensity is zero
DThe transmitted intensity depends on the rotation angle of the polaroid
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The transmitted intensity is I₀/2 (only the component parallel to the pass-axis transmits; averaged over random orientations)
**Unpolarised light through one polaroid → I = I₀/2** (always half, regardless of orientation). The other half (component perpendicular to pass-axis) is absorbed. The transmitted light is now **linearly polarised** along the pass-axis.
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