What is Polarization? - Electric Field & EM Wave

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter captain
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of polarization in electromagnetic (EM) waves, particularly focusing on the nature of the electric field and how it relates to transverse waves. Participants explore definitions, characteristics, and implications of polarization in various contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that polarization refers to the direction of the electric field as an electromagnetic wave propagates.
  • Others explain that measuring the electric field at a fixed point reveals that the field oscillates in a specific direction, which defines its polarization.
  • One participant describes polarization as a phenomenon in all transverse waves, noting that while these waves move in a direction, their displacement is perpendicular, and polarization allows only one of those perpendicular displacements to pass through.
  • Another participant emphasizes that light consists of multiple plane wave displacements, and a polarizer selectively transmits one of these displacements.
  • A later reply questions how a polarizer determines which displacement to let through and whether the action of a polarizer constitutes polarization itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of polarization, with no consensus on the precise definition or the role of polarizers in the process. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of polarization and the function of polarizers.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of polarization, including the dependence on definitions and the nuances of how different displacements interact with polarizers. There are unresolved questions about the criteria for determining which displacement is transmitted.

captain
Messages
163
Reaction score
0
what is it exactly? is it the direction of the electric field when an electromagnetic wave propagates in a certain direction?
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
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?
 

Similar threads

Graduate How does a wave with circular polarization behave?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Light Remain After Polarization Despite Changes in Its Electric Field?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad Trying to Understand the Polarization of light
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
14K
Undergrad TE and TM polarization parallel definition
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Does a material change the direction of polarization of light?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Graduate Is the EM field the medium for light waves
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School I don't understand exactly how the propagation of light works
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
Undergrad What does polarization actually mean?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Can the wavelength of an EM wave exceed the size of the observable universe?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Graduate Linear Polarization Interference: Can It Happen?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K