Polarization Experiment - EX-5543A
The complete solution for verifying Malus’ Law of Polarization.
Product Summary
In this experiment, Malus’ Law of Polarization is verified by showing that the intensity of light passed through two polarizers depends on the square of the cosine of the angle between the two polarization axes.
Laser light (peak wavelength = 650 nm) is passed through two polarizers. As the second polarizer (the analyzer) is rotated by hand, the relative light intensity is recorded as a function of the angle between the axes of polarization of the two polarizers. The angle is obtained using a Rotary Motion Sensor coupled to the polarizer with a drive belt. The plot of light intensity vs. angle can be fitted to the square of the cosine of the angle.
PASCO Advantage: Laser light is used in this experiment because its wavelength is more completely extinguished by the crossed polarizers.