Ask your own question, for FREE!
Physics 11 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

what is the difference between polarized light and unpolarized light?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

help!!!!!!!!!!!

OpenStudy (jamesj):

As you hopefully know, we can think of light as a wave. Ordinary light, such as from the sun, is unpolarized. This means that the waves are oriented in all directions around the axis in which the light is traveling. That's the light at the left of this picture. Polarized light, by contrast, has the waves all oscillating in one direction. You can see in the diagram how the unpolarized light passes through a filter which selects for just the light oscillating in the vertical direction. The last filter in the diagram selects for light waves oscillating horizontally. As there are no more such light waves, that second filter stops the vertically polarized light.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so... i turn your saying that polarized light doesnt reflect?

OpenStudy (jamesj):

Light reflecting off horizontal surfaces are often horizontally polarized. If you want to reduce road glare when you're driving, we often wear sun glasses that have a polarizer in the vertical direction which filter out the horizontal light. See this diagram.

OpenStudy (jamesj):

OpenStudy (anonymous):

glare is reduced, am i right?

OpenStudy (jamesj):

Yes

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok... thanks

Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!
Latest Questions
Countless7Echos: Ah trying out the whole T.V girl drawing :p (I love drawing eyes)
37 minutes ago 8 Replies 5 Medals
kaelynw: starting to draw a hand
2 days ago 16 Replies 2 Medals
Twaylor: Rate it :D (Took 2 days)
2 days ago 7 Replies 0 Medals
XShawtyX: Art, Short Writing Assignment: Imagining Landscapes
3 hours ago 7 Replies 1 Medal
XShawtyX: Chemistry, Help ud83dude4fud83cudffe
3 days ago 13 Replies 1 Medal
kaelynw: tried a lil smt, the arm is off but i like the other stuff
3 days ago 27 Replies 3 Medals
kaelynw: art igg
3 days ago 14 Replies 1 Medal
Can't find your answer? Make a FREE account and ask your own questions, OR help others and earn volunteer hours!

Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!