New Reply

Polarization of light and sunglasses

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
May3-12, 05:55 PM   #1
 

Polarization of light and sunglasses


Light coming from the sun is unpolarised therefore the electromagnetic field is moving randomly along the direction of propagation .

When light is polarised this means that the photons vibrate in one plane , but how can this happen ? it means that either one of the electric or magnetic fields must be cut out , is that right ?

When light strikes a water surface then some rays will be polarized parallel to the surface but then if sunglasses were made of material that only lets light in vertically then we should see nothing ?!
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
physics news on PhysOrg.com

>> Study provides better understanding of water's freezing behavior at nanoscale
>> Soft matter offers new ways to study how ordered materials arrange themselves
>> Making quantum encryption practical
May3-12, 06:00 PM   #2
 
Recognitions:
Gold Membership Gold Member
Polarized light does not consist of photons vibrating in a plane. The electromagnetic wave itself is polarized. Neither of the fields are cut out, both exist.

When light strikes a water surface then some rays will be polarized parallel to the surface but then if sunglasses were made of material that only lets light in vertically then we should see nothing ?!
Only some of the waves are. The rest are not polarized horizontally.
May3-12, 06:19 PM   #3
K^2
 
Recognitions:
Science Advisor Science Advisor
Quote by ZxcvbnM2000 View Post
Light coming from the sun is unpolarised therefore the electromagnetic field is moving randomly along the direction of propagation .
Perpendicular to direction of propagation.

Quote by ZxcvbnM2000 View Post
When light strikes a water surface then some rays will be polarized parallel to the surface but then if sunglasses were made of material that only lets light in vertically then we should see nothing ?!
Only at Brewster's Angle does reflected light become perfectly polarized. At any other angle, you still have both the horizontal and vertical components remaining. The vertical component simply happens to be attenuated.
New Reply
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Polarization of light and sunglasses
Thread Forum Replies
Light polarization General Physics 1
polarization of light General Physics 11
Light. Glasses and SUnglasses Introductory Physics Homework 0
light polarization Quantum Physics 0
polarization of light Classical Physics 22