- #1
Maxo
- 160
- 1
Homework Statement
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that according to the Malus law formula, if the angle is 0 < θ < 90 then there is some transmission. But I need help understanding this physically. If we think of a polarizer/analyzer as a "lattice", i.e. kind of like this
Are we supposed to think of the light waves as components in x and y direction? In that case, wouldn't a pure y-direction wave have no x-component? Wouldn't that then happen if you put the polarizer so that it transmits in y direction only? But then it comes back to my original question, why would the direction of the analyzer matter, why wouldn't it only allow transmission when θ = 0?
Please help me understand this further. I understand a lattice is not a perfect visualization of it. What would be a possible better image/object to visualize polarization with than a lattice?