- #1
DaveC426913
Gold Member
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Yesterday I was busy inadvertantly simulating circular polarization of light.
We were taking down the Christimas tree including a very long strand of beads. The strand was composed of 4 strands of beads (each like a pearl necklace) woven in a helix.
When we (my wife & I) started at one end to unravel the 4 strands from each other, the net result was build up up circular torque as we moved down the length of the strand (it was > 100 feet long). It built up like the knots that form in the elastic of a balsa airplane when you wind it up.
Each time I lifted the strand, the buildup of circular tension would release, and a circular pulse would race down the length of the strand for several dozen feet.
OK, probably not a perfect analogy for polarized light, but cool nonetheless.
We were taking down the Christimas tree including a very long strand of beads. The strand was composed of 4 strands of beads (each like a pearl necklace) woven in a helix.
When we (my wife & I) started at one end to unravel the 4 strands from each other, the net result was build up up circular torque as we moved down the length of the strand (it was > 100 feet long). It built up like the knots that form in the elastic of a balsa airplane when you wind it up.
Each time I lifted the strand, the buildup of circular tension would release, and a circular pulse would race down the length of the strand for several dozen feet.
OK, probably not a perfect analogy for polarized light, but cool nonetheless.
