Horizontally polarized

Definition

Horizontally polarized light consists of waves in which the electric field vector oscillates parallel to the horizontal plane. It is a specific case of linearly polarized light.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polarization describes the orientation of light's electric field vector.
2. Horizontally polarized light is blocked by vertical polarizing filters.
3. Natural light can be polarized horizontally by reflection off surfaces like water or glass, known as glare.
4. The angle at which light becomes maximally polarized upon reflection is called Brewster's angle.
5. Polarized sunglasses are designed to block horizontally polarized light to reduce glare.

Review Questions

• What happens to horizontally polarized light when it passes through a vertical polarizer?
• How can natural light become horizontally polarized?
• What is Brewster's angle and how is it related to polarization?

Related terms

Vertical Polarization: Light in which the electric field vector oscillates perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

Brewster's Angle:

The angle of incidence at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a surface with no reflection.

Malus' Law: $I = I_0 \cos^2(\theta)$, describing the intensity $I$ of polarized light after passing through a polarizer at an angle $\theta$.