Polarisation Quiz

What does it mean for light to be 'plane polarised'?

• The electric vector is oscillating in random planes

• The oscillations are in many directions

• The transmission axis of the polariser and the analyser are perpendicular

• The electric field vector is oscillating in a single plane

What happens when the transmission axis of the polariser and the analyser are perpendicular?

• No light is transmitted through the analyser

• The electric field vector is oscillating in a single plane

• The oscillations are in many directions

• The intensity of transmitted light follows a cos2 curve

What is the purpose of a polaroid sheet in sunglasses?

• To block all light from passing through

• To allow all light to pass through

• To increase the intensity of transmitted light

• To reduce glare from reflected sunlight

How does the filter for each eye in 3D cinemas work?

• It blocks both projected images from passing through each eye

• It allows both projected images to pass through each eye

• It allows light from one projected image to pass through while blocking the light from the other projector

• It increases the intensity of transmitted light

What type of light will pass through the right eye in 3D cinemas? (if it's horizontally polarised)

• Plane polarised light

• Horizontally polarised light

• Vertically polarised light

• Unpolarised light

Approximately how much light is blocked by two polarizing filters that are perpendicular to each other?

• 0%

• 50%

• 75%

• 100%

Two polarizing filters are set up so the transmitted light is at a maximum intensity.

Through which angle should polariser 2 be rotated so that no light is transmitted?

• 45º

• 60º

• 90º

• 180º

A polariser and analyser are initially oriented so that the maximum light is transmitted…… If the analyser is then slowly rotated through 90° the intensity will

Before a film starts, a student looks at a ceiling lamp through one of

the filters in the glasses. While looking at the lamp, the student then

rotates the filter through 90°.

State what effect, if any, this rotation will have on the observed

brightness of the lamp.

During a film, the student looks at the screen through only one of the

filters in the glasses. The student then rotates the filter through 90° and

does not observe any change in brightness.

Explain this observation.