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QJEEAdv24Ph8980: JEE Advanced 2024 Physics - Class 12 JEEAdv24Ph8980 Solution: A point source emits unpolarized light uniformly in all…

A point source S\mathrm{S} emits unpolarized light uniformly in all directions. At two points A\mathrm{A} and B\mathrm{B} , the ratio r=IA/IBr=I_A / I_B of the intensities of light is 2 . If a set of two polaroids having 45∘45^{\circ} angle between their pass-axes is placed just before point B\mathrm{B} , then the new value of rr will be __________.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

To solve this problem, we start by understanding the information given and how the polarization of light affects light intensity.

Initially, we have the ratio of the intensities at points A and B given as:

r=IAIB=2r = \frac{I_A}{I_B} = 2

This means:

IA=2IBI_A = 2I_B

Now, we place two polaroids with their pass-axes at an angle of 45∘45^\circ between them before point B. When unpolarized light passes through the first polaroid, it gets polarized, and its intensity is reduced to half of its original value:

IB1=12IBI_{B1} = \frac{1}{2} I_B

Here, IB1I_{B1} is the intensity of light after passing through the first polaroid.

Next, this polarized light passes through the second polaroid, which is at an angle of 45∘45^\circ to the first one. According to Malus's law, the intensity of light after passing through the second polaroid is given by:

IB2=IB1cos⁡2(45∘)I_{B2} = I_{B1} \cos^2(45^\circ)

We know that:

cos⁡(45∘)=12\cos(45^\circ) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}

Thus,

IB2=12IB(12)2=12IB⋅12=14IBI_{B2} = \frac{1}{2} I_B \left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{2} I_B \cdot \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{4} I_B

Now, the new intensity at point B is IB2I_{B2} . We need to calculate the new ratio r′r' of the intensities at points A and B:

r′=IAIB2r' = \frac{I_A}{I_{B2}}

Substituting the values IA=2IBI_A = 2I_B and IB2=14IBI_{B2} = \frac{1}{4} I_B , we get:

r′=2IB14IB=2×4=8r' = \frac{2 I_B}{\frac{1}{4} I_B} = 2 \times 4 = 8

Therefore, the new value of rr will be:

r′=8r' = 8

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