Polarisation of Light — Chapter Summary

In a longitudinal wave

In a longitudinal wave, particle vibrations occur along the direction of propagation; in a transverse wave, vibrations occur perpendicular to the dire

In unpolarised light

In unpolarised light, the electric vector vibrates symmetrically in all directions perpendicular to propagation. In plane-polarised light, vibrations

The plane of vibration contains

The plane of vibration contains the direction of vibration of the electric vector and the direction of propagation of light. The plane of polarisation

The first crystal or device

The first crystal or device that produces plane-polarised light is called the polariser. The second crystal or device that examines whether the light

When unpolarised light reflects from

When unpolarised light reflects from a transparent surface, the reflected light becomes partially plane-polarised. At the polarising angle, the reflec