The answer is (d): the intensity of the reflected light will remain approximately the same. Light of any polarization will be reflected off a conducting surface, because no electric field can exist in a conductor. This is seen in the photograph at the right, in which the polarizing sheet has been rotated so that its axis as vertical, as seen by the arrows. Clicking on the photograph at the right will display an mpeg with the polarizing sheet rotating from horizontal to vertical.
So here is the test question. Suppose that we replace the aluminum surface by a piece of copper, as seen in the photograph below. When the polarizing sheet is rotated from horizontal to vertical, what will happen to the intensity of the reflected light?
When the polaroid is rotated by 90o the intensity of the light will:
Click on the photograph after you have arrived at your anser and the reasoning behind that answer.
