Chapter 39: Polarization

The polarization state of a traveling electromagnetic wave describes the orientation of the electric field over time.  Both linearly and circularly polarized light are included in this chapter, which focuses on making the connection between the individual fields that comprise a traveling wave and the resultant electric field.

Table of Contents

Illustrations

• Illustration 39.1: Polarization.
• Illustration 39.2: Polarized Electromagnetic Waves.

Explorations

• Exploration 39.1: Polarization Tutorial.
• Exploration 39.2: Polarizers.

Problems

• Problem 39.1: Identify polarization.
• Problem 39.2: Determine the electric field.
• Problem 39.3: Which wave is the sum?
• Problem 39.4: Which wave is the sum?
• Problem 39.5: Describe the polarization state.
• Problem 39.6: Describe the polarization state.
• Problem 39.7: Describe the polarization state.
• Problem 39.8: Describe the polarization state.
• Problem 39.9: Polarizers.
• Problem 39.10: Energy transmitted through polarizer.