Polarization of Light Concepts

What characterizes polarized light?

• Its electric field oscillates in a single, specific direction.

• It consists only of magnetic fields.

• Its electric field oscillates randomly in multiple directions.

• It travels at a slower speed than unpolarized light.

How does unpolarized light differ from polarized light?

• Unpolarized light has a higher intensity.

• Unpolarized light's electric field oscillates in random directions.

• Unpolarized light travels faster.

• Unpolarized light does not contain magnetic fields.

What is the function of a polarizer?

• To increase the intensity of light.

• To block all light waves.

• To allow only light waves oscillating in a specific direction to pass through.

• To change the color of light.

Why are polarized sunglasses effective at reducing glare from horizontal surfaces like water or snow?

• They absorb all light, making everything darker.

• They reflect all incoming light away from the eyes.

• They block the horizontally oscillating electric fields of reflected glare.

• They change the wavelength of the light, making it less intense.

How do polarized sunglasses reduce glare from surfaces like water?

• They block all light waves.

• They block horizontally polarized light, which is the main component of glare.

• They block vertically polarized light, which is the main component of glare.

• They scatter light in all directions, reducing intensity.

What is linear polarization of light?

• Light waves where the electric field oscillates in a single, fixed plane.

• Light waves where the electric field oscillates randomly in all directions.

• Light waves where the electric field rotates in a circular pattern.

• Light waves that have been reflected off a surface.

What happens when two linearly polarized light waves, perpendicular to each other and with a 90-degree phase difference, are combined?

• They cancel each other out, resulting in no light.

• They form a single linearly polarized wave at a diagonal angle.

• They combine to create circularly polarized light.

• They increase the intensity of the original waves without changing polarization.