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Chapter 18 of 32
Concept Maps

Polarisation of Light — Concept Maps

ICSE · Class 12 · Physics

4 concept maps of Polarisation of Light for ICSE Class 12 Physics, each also written out as a text outline. Part of the ICSE Class 12 Physics syllabus.

43 questions32 flashcards3 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Concept Maps

Polarisation of Light — Complete Chapter Overview

Polarisation of Light — Complete Chapter Overview

The map in words

  • Polarisation of Light
    • Transverse Nature
      • Light waves are transverse
      • Electric vector E causes optical effects
      • Longitudinal waves cannot be polarised
      • Sound cannot be polarised
    • Types of Light
      • Unpolarised Light
        • E vibrates in all directions
        • Represented by star symbol
      • Plane Polarised Light
        • E vibrates in one direction only
        • Represented by arrows or dots
      • Partially Polarised Light
        • Mixed state
        • Intensity varies but not zero
    • Key Terms
      • Polariser
        • Produces polarised light
        • First crystal or Polaroid
      • Analyser
        • Detects polarised light
        • Second crystal or Polaroid
      • Plane of Vibration
        • Contains E and propagation direction
      • Plane of Polarisation
        • Perpendicular to plane of vibration
        • No vibrations here
    • Brewsters Law
      • n equals tan of ip
      • ip plus r equals 90 degrees
      • Reflected ray perpendicular to refracted ray
      • Air glass ip is 57 degrees
    • Law of Malus
      • I equals I0 cos squared theta
      • theta is angle between polariser and analyser
      • Unpolarised light gives I0 over 2
    • Methods of Polarisation
      • Reflection at Brewster angle
      • Refraction through pile of plates
      • Scattering by small particles
      • Using Polaroids or tourmaline crystals
    • Polaroid
      • Made of herpathite crystals
      • Dichroic material
      • Large and cheap
      • Crossed Polaroids give zero intensity
    • Uses of Polaroids
      • Sunglasses reduce glare
      • Car headlights avoid dazzle
      • Camera photography
      • Microscopy
      • Intensity control in trains
      • 3D glasses

Polarisation of Light – Complete Chapter Overview

Polarisation of Light – Complete Chapter Overview

The map in words

  • Polarisation of Light
    • Transverse Nature
      • Light is transverse EM wave
      • E and B perpendicular to propagation
      • Mechanical string analogy
      • Tourmaline crystal experiment
    • Types of Light
      • Unpolarised Light
        • E vibrates in all directions
        • Symmetric about propagation
        • Star symbol representation
      • Plane Polarised Light
        • E vibrates in ONE direction only
        • Asymmetric vibrations
        • Arrow or dot representation
      • Partially Polarised
        • Mix of polarised and unpolarised
    • Key Planes
      • Plane of Vibration
        • Contains E direction
        • Contains propagation direction
      • Plane of Polarisation
        • Contains propagation direction
        • Perpendicular to vibration plane
        • No E vibrations here
    • Methods of Polarisation
      • By Reflection
        • Brewsters Law
        • n equals tan ip
        • ip plus r equals 90 degrees
      • By Refraction
        • Pile of Plates
        • 20 to 30 glass plates
        • Transmitted light polarised
      • By Scattering
        • At 90 degrees to incident beam
        • Blue sky explanation
        • Tyndall effect
      • By Polaroids
        • Dichroism principle
        • Herapathite crystals
        • Polariser and Analyser
    • Laws
      • Brewsters Law
        • n equals tan ip
        • ip plus r equals 90 degrees
        • For air-glass ip is 57 degrees
      • Law of Malus
        • I equals I0 cos squared theta
        • theta is 0 gives maximum
        • theta is 90 gives zero
        • Unpolarised gives I0 over 2
    • Applications
      • Polaroid sunglasses
      • Car headlights
      • 3D movies
      • Camera filters
      • LCD screens
      • Saccharimetry

Polarisation of Light - Concept Overview

Polarisation of Light - Concept Overview

The map in words

  • Polarisation of Light
    • Nature of Light
      • Transverse Waves
      • Electric Field Vibrations
      • Perpendicular to Propagation
    • Types of Light
      • Unpolarised Light
        • Random Vibrations
        • All Directions
      • Plane-Polarised Light
        • Single Direction
        • Asymmetric Vibrations
      • Partially Polarised
        • Mixed Components
    • Production Methods
      • Reflection
        • Brewster's Angle
        • Complete Polarisation
      • Refraction
        • Pile of Plates
        • Partial Polarisation
      • Dichroism
        • Polaroid Films
        • Crystal Absorption
      • Scattering
        • Rayleigh Scattering
        • Perpendicular Observation
    • Key Laws
      • Brewster's Law
        • n = tan(i_p)
        • i_p + r = 90°
      • Malus's Law
        • I = I0 cos²(θ)
        • Intensity vs Angle
    • Applications
      • Sunglasses
        • Reduce Glare
      • Vehicles
        • Anti-glare Systems
      • Photography
        • Cloud Photography
      • Displays
        • LCD Screens
    • Detection
      • Rotating Analyser
      • Intensity Variation
      • Identification Method

Polarisation of Light

Polarisation of Light

The map in words

  • Polarisation of Light
    • Nature of light waves
    • Unpolarised and plane-polarised light
    • Plane of vibration and plane of polarisation
    • Polariser and analyser
    • Polarisation by reflection
    • Brewster's law
    • Polarisation by refraction
    • Polarisation by scattering

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Polarisation of Light for ICSE Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Polarisation of Light include Light Waves are Transverse, Plane-Polarised Light, Plane of Vibration and Plane of Polarisation, Polarisation by Reflection and Brewster's Law, Polarisation by Refraction: Pile of Plates. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 12 board exam.
What do the concept maps for Polarisation of Light show?
The 4 maps show how the ideas in Polarisation of Light connect: Polarisation of Light — Complete Chapter Overview; Polarisation of Light – Complete Chapter Overview. Each map is also written out as an outline on this page.
How should I revise Polarisation of Light for the ICSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 43 practice questions on Polarisation of Light. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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