Segment G: Light Polarization
Segment G: Light Polarization
In this segment, we dive into the concept of polarization. We investigate polarization qualitatively by observing how light behaves as it travels through different types of filters and through Malus' law, mathematically.
Science
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the properties and applications of waves.
Plan and carry out investigations to characterize the properties and behavior of electromagnetic waves.
Plan and carry out investigations to describe common features of light in terms of color, polarization, spectral composition, and wave speed in transparent media.
- Analyze experimentally and mathematically aspects of reflection and refraction of light waves and describe the results using optical ray diagrams.
- Perform calculations related to reflections from plane surfaces and focusing using thin lenses.
-Define polarization as it pertains to light.
-Explain how filters work in blocking certain waves of light.
-Calculate the intensity of outgoing light using Malus’ Law.
Malus’ Law - this law states that the intensity of a beam of plane-polarized light after passing through a polarizer varies as the square of the cosine of the angle through which the polarizer is rotated from the position that gives maximum intensity.
polarization - the act of restricting the vibrations of a transverse wave, especially light, wholly or partially to one direction.
polarized light - light that is reflected or transmitted through certain media so that all vibrations are restricted to a single plane.
unpolarized light - when light waves’ electric fields point in any direction perpendicular to the wave’s motion.
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