A Polaroid examines two adjacent plane polarised beams A and B, whose planes of polarization are mutually perpendicular. In the first position of the analyzer, beam B shows zero intensity. From the position a rotation of ${30^ \circ }$ shows the two beams have same intensity. The ratio of intensities of the two beams ${{\text{I}}_{\text{A}}}$ and ${{\text{I}}_{\text{B}}}$ will be:
(A) $1:3$
(B) $3:1$
(C) $\sqrt 3 :1$
(D) $1:\sqrt 3 $
Answer
301.2k+ views
Hint: To solve this question, we need to find out the initial position of the Polaroid with respect to the beams A and B. Then after the given rotation, we have to find its final position with respect to the both beams. Finally using the Malus law we can get the final answer.
Complete step-by-step solution:
We know that a Polaroid allows the components of the vibration of a light which are parallel to its axis. All the vibration components perpendicular to the axis of the Polaroid are restricted by the Polaroid. The intensity of the transmitted light as seen from the Polaroid is given by the Malus law as
$I = {I_0}{\cos ^2}{{\theta }}$..................(1)
From the above relation, we can see that the intensity of the transmitted light from the Polaroid is maximum when ${{\theta }} = {0^ \circ }$, and it is minimum for ${{\theta }} = {90^ \circ }$.
According to the question the initial position of the Polaroid is such that the beam B has zero intensity. So vibrations of the beam B must be perpendicular to the Polaroid axis. Since the planes of polarization of the beams A and B are mutually perpendicular, the vibrations of beam A must be parallel to the Polaroid axis as shown in the below diagram.

Now, according to the question, the Polaroid is rotated through an angle of ${30^ \circ }$, as shown below.

As we can see that now the Polaroid axis is inclined at an angle of ${30^ \circ }$ with the direction of the beam A, and at an angle of ${60^ \circ }$ with the direction of the beam B.
For beam A:
According to the question, the initial intensity of beam A is ${{\text{I}}_{\text{A}}}$. Also, the angle between the Polaroid axis and the beam A is equal to ${30^ \circ }$. Therefore substituting \[{I_0} = {{\text{I}}_{\text{A}}}\] and \[{\text{\theta }} = {30^ \circ }\] in (1) we get
\[{I_{\text{A}}}' = {I_{\text{A}}}{\cos ^2}{30^ \circ }\]..............(2)
For beam B:
According to the question, the initial intensity of beam B is ${{\text{I}}_{\text{B}}}$. Also, the angle between the Polaroid axis and the beam A is equal to ${60^ \circ }$. Therefore substituting \[{I_0} = {{\text{I}}_{\text{B}}}\] and \[{\text{\theta }} = {60^ \circ }\] in (1) we get
\[{I_{\text{B}}}' = {I_{\text{B}}}{\cos ^2}{60^ \circ }\].................(4)
According to the question, the two beams are appearing equally bright as seen from the Polaroid. This means that the intensities of the transmitted light of the beams A and B are equal, that is,
\[{I_{\text{A}}}' = {I_{\text{B}}}'\]
From (3) and (4)
\[{I_{\text{A}}}{\cos ^2}{30^ \circ } = {I_{\text{B}}}{\cos ^2}{60^ \circ }\]
\[ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{{{{\cos }^2}{{60}^ \circ }}}{{{{\cos }^2}{{30}^ \circ }}}\]
We know that $\cos {30^ \circ } = \dfrac{{\sqrt 3 }}{2}$ and $\cos {60^ \circ } = \dfrac{1}{2}$. Therefore we get
\[\dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{{{{\left( {1/2} \right)}^2}}}{{{{\left( {\sqrt 3 /2} \right)}^2}}}\]
\[ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{1}{3}\]
Thus, the required ratio is equal to $1:3$.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Note: Always try to draw the diagram corresponding to this type of problem. This is done in order to be sure about the angle of inclination of the Polaroid axis with respect to the light beam.
Complete step-by-step solution:
We know that a Polaroid allows the components of the vibration of a light which are parallel to its axis. All the vibration components perpendicular to the axis of the Polaroid are restricted by the Polaroid. The intensity of the transmitted light as seen from the Polaroid is given by the Malus law as
$I = {I_0}{\cos ^2}{{\theta }}$..................(1)
From the above relation, we can see that the intensity of the transmitted light from the Polaroid is maximum when ${{\theta }} = {0^ \circ }$, and it is minimum for ${{\theta }} = {90^ \circ }$.
According to the question the initial position of the Polaroid is such that the beam B has zero intensity. So vibrations of the beam B must be perpendicular to the Polaroid axis. Since the planes of polarization of the beams A and B are mutually perpendicular, the vibrations of beam A must be parallel to the Polaroid axis as shown in the below diagram.

Now, according to the question, the Polaroid is rotated through an angle of ${30^ \circ }$, as shown below.

As we can see that now the Polaroid axis is inclined at an angle of ${30^ \circ }$ with the direction of the beam A, and at an angle of ${60^ \circ }$ with the direction of the beam B.
For beam A:
According to the question, the initial intensity of beam A is ${{\text{I}}_{\text{A}}}$. Also, the angle between the Polaroid axis and the beam A is equal to ${30^ \circ }$. Therefore substituting \[{I_0} = {{\text{I}}_{\text{A}}}\] and \[{\text{\theta }} = {30^ \circ }\] in (1) we get
\[{I_{\text{A}}}' = {I_{\text{A}}}{\cos ^2}{30^ \circ }\]..............(2)
For beam B:
According to the question, the initial intensity of beam B is ${{\text{I}}_{\text{B}}}$. Also, the angle between the Polaroid axis and the beam A is equal to ${60^ \circ }$. Therefore substituting \[{I_0} = {{\text{I}}_{\text{B}}}\] and \[{\text{\theta }} = {60^ \circ }\] in (1) we get
\[{I_{\text{B}}}' = {I_{\text{B}}}{\cos ^2}{60^ \circ }\].................(4)
According to the question, the two beams are appearing equally bright as seen from the Polaroid. This means that the intensities of the transmitted light of the beams A and B are equal, that is,
\[{I_{\text{A}}}' = {I_{\text{B}}}'\]
From (3) and (4)
\[{I_{\text{A}}}{\cos ^2}{30^ \circ } = {I_{\text{B}}}{\cos ^2}{60^ \circ }\]
\[ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{{{{\cos }^2}{{60}^ \circ }}}{{{{\cos }^2}{{30}^ \circ }}}\]
We know that $\cos {30^ \circ } = \dfrac{{\sqrt 3 }}{2}$ and $\cos {60^ \circ } = \dfrac{1}{2}$. Therefore we get
\[\dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{{{{\left( {1/2} \right)}^2}}}{{{{\left( {\sqrt 3 /2} \right)}^2}}}\]
\[ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{I_{\text{A}}}}}{{{I_{\text{B}}}}} = \dfrac{1}{3}\]
Thus, the required ratio is equal to $1:3$.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Note: Always try to draw the diagram corresponding to this type of problem. This is done in order to be sure about the angle of inclination of the Polaroid axis with respect to the light beam.
Recently Updated Pages
Four persons A B C and D initially at the corners of class 11 physics JEE_Main

What is the difference between Conduction and conv class 11 physics JEE_Main

Moment of inertia of solid sphere about its diameter class 11 physics JEE_Main

If a piece of ice floating on the surface of water class 11 physics JEE_Main

At what temperature speed of sound in air will be doubled class 11 physics JEE_Main

A closed organ pipe and an open organ pipe are tuned class 11 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 - Units And Measurements - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units And Measurements - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 Motion In A Straight Line - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

Important Questions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units and Measurement - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 - Motion in a Straight Line - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion In A Plane - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

