Physics - Chapter 15

15.3

Polarization - The direction of the electric field in a light wave or any other electromagnetic wave
Polarizer - A filter that transmits light waves with only on direction of polarization
Unpolarized light can be polarized by passing it through a polarizer
- The intensity of polarized light is 1/2 of the original intensity
- I $_{f}$ = $\frac{1}{2}$ I $_{i}$
Polarizer affects both intensity and polarization of light
Law of Malus
- I $_{f}$ = I $_{i}$ cos $^{2} θ$
Reflection also causes polarization