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shiveeshfoteda
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as the Electric field is perpendicular to magnetic field , would the over all sum of the sinusoidal waves would turn up to be a helical shape ?
shiveeshfoteda said:as the Electric field is perpendicular to magnetic field , would the over all sum of the sinusoidal waves would turn up to be a helical shape ?
Yes, perhaps I was over-interpreting the OP. The polarization describes the orientation of the fields, not the path.HallsofIvy said:But "circularly polarized" means that the "intensity vector" of the light wave describes a helix around the path of the light. Light does NOT "follow a helical path".
Light does not typically follow a helical path. However, in certain conditions, such as in a medium with a varying refractive index, light can appear to follow a helical path due to refraction and reflection.
No, light does not follow a helical path in a vacuum. In order for light to appear to follow a helical path, there must be a medium with a varying refractive index, which is not present in a vacuum.
The significance of light appearing to follow a helical path is that it can help us understand the properties of the medium through which the light is passing. By observing the curvature and direction of the helix, we can determine the refractive index of the medium.
A helical path is a curved path that light appears to follow due to refraction and reflection. A straight path of light is when light travels in a straight line without any deviation due to the medium it is passing through.
No, light does not always follow a helical path in a medium with a varying refractive index. The curvature and direction of the helix can vary depending on the angle of incidence and the properties of the medium. In some cases, light may not appear to follow a helical path at all.