Which plane is defined as the plane of polarization in a plane-polariz...
The plane containing the direction of propagation of light and perpendicular to the plane of vibration is called the plane of polarization. It contains no vibrations. Polarized light waves are light waves in which the vibrations occur in a single plane.
Which plane is defined as the plane of polarization in a plane-polariz...
The plane of polarization in a plane-polarized electromagnetic wave is defined as the plane containing the direction of propagation of light. This means that the electric field vector of the wave oscillates in a single plane as the wave travels through space.
Explanation:
- Plane-polarized electromagnetic waves are transverse waves in which the electric field vector oscillates in a single plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation. The direction of propagation is the direction in which the wave is traveling.
- The plane containing the direction of propagation is known as the plane of polarization.
- The electric field vector of the wave oscillates in this plane, while the magnetic field vector oscillates perpendicular to both the electric field and the direction of propagation.
- This oscillation in a single plane is a result of the alignment of the electric field vectors of the individual photons that make up the wave.
- The alignment can be achieved through various methods, such as passing unpolarized light through a polarizing filter or by reflection or refraction.
- When unpolarized light passes through a polarizing filter, only the electric field vectors oscillating in a particular direction are allowed to pass through, resulting in a plane-polarized wave.
- Similarly, when light reflects off a surface at a specific angle called the Brewster's angle, the reflected wave becomes plane-polarized with its electric field vector oscillating in a single plane.
- Refraction can also lead to the polarization of light, as certain angles of incidence can result in the transmission of only a specific polarization state.
- However, regardless of the method, the plane of polarization is always the plane containing the direction of propagation of the wave.
- It is important to note that the plane of polarization does not refer to the physical plane in which the wave is propagating but rather the direction in which the electric field vector oscillates.
In conclusion, the plane of polarization in a plane-polarized electromagnetic wave is the plane containing the direction of propagation of light. This plane is perpendicular to the magnetic field vector and is defined by the alignment of the electric field vectors of the individual photons in the wave.