The amount of light from an incandescent lamp that is transmitted through an ideal Polaroid filter is half, and through a classroom Polaroid filter is
A)less than half.
B)more than half.
C)half.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An ideal Polaroid filter transmits only the polarized light whose vibrations are parallel to the axis of the polarizer, and it blocks the perpendicular vibrations. In the case of an incandescent lamp, the light vibrates in all directions. Hence, when passed through an ideal Polaroid filter, only half of the light whose vibrations are parallel to the axis of the filter are transmitted, and the other half is blocked. 
However, in the case of a classroom Polaroid filter, it is not an ideal polarizer as it has some imperfections that allow some light whose vibrations are perpendicular to the axis of the filter to pass through. Therefore, the amount of light transmitted through a classroom Polaroid filter from an incandescent lamp will be less than half.

The Amount of Light from an Incandescent Lamp That Is