Why reflection causes polarisation of light

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SUMMARY

Reflection causes the polarization of light due to the phase differential that occurs when light waves reflect off a surface. When the angle of reflection is 90 degrees from the angle of refraction, the reflected light becomes 100% plane polarized. This phenomenon is a result of the annihilation of light waves on the vertical plane during reflection, leading to a predominance of horizontally polarized light.

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  • Knowledge of Snell's Law
  • Concept of phase differential in wave physics
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maxbur
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Hello all

I know that polarisation of light can occur from reflection, and when the reflected ray is 90degrees from the refracted ray the relfected light is 100% plane polarised.
So, my question is why is it that reflection causes polarisation of light?

Thanks
 
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because the light on the vertical plane were annihilated through phase differential.
 
Ok, and what is phase differential?
 

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