What is Polarization? - Electric Field & EM Wave

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Polarization refers to the direction of the electric field oscillation in an electromagnetic wave, which is a characteristic of all transverse waves. When measuring the electric field at a fixed point as an EM wave passes, the field oscillates in a specific direction, defining its polarization. A Polaroid polarizer allows only one of the multiple perpendicular displacements of light waves to pass through, effectively filtering the light based on its polarization direction. The discussion raises questions about how the polarizer determines which displacement is allowed and whether the action of the polarizer itself constitutes polarization. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping the nature of light and its behavior in various applications.
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what is it exactly? is it the direction of the electric field when an electromagnetic wave propagates in a certain direction?
 
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If you were to measure the E-field at a fixed point as an EM wave moves past, you would find that the field oscillates in a particular direction. That direction is the polarization.
 
Well PolArisation is a term used to describe a phenomena found in all Transverse Waves. Now remember that transverse waves move in a direction but their displacement is perpendicular. Now what if these perpendicular displacements were in all directions - i.e. one perpendicular displacement at a certain angle and another at a different one etc. Now Polarisation only let's 1 of those perpendicular displacements through.

I hope I explained clearly. Nevertheless remember that Light is not only made of 1 Plane wave displacement... It is made of multiple ones. Now a Polaroid Polariser let's only one of those Displacements through...
 
prasannapakkiam said:
Well PolArisation is a term used to describe a phenomena found in all Transverse Waves. Now remember that transverse waves move in a direction but their displacement is perpendicular. Now what if these perpendicular displacements were in all directions - i.e. one perpendicular displacement at a certain angle and another at a different one etc. Now Polarisation only let's 1 of those perpendicular displacements through.
I hope I explained clearly. Nevertheless remember that Light is not only made of 1 Plane wave displacement... It is made of multiple ones. Now a Polaroid Polariser let's only one of those Displacements through...

(the underlined part is what i am emphasizing)

which one would it let though or rather how do you determine which will be let through, and also i am unclear about the fact that whether what the polaroid polarizer does is in fact polarization or not?
 

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