Answer the questions in order please. Refer to image above. (a) When a polarizer

Question

Answer the questions in order please.

Refer to image above. (a) When a polarizer is placed in front of a light source, the light transmitting through is polarized, such that it vibrates only in the direction the polarizer allows. Now if a second polarizer with vibration direction 90 degree to the first one and is placed in the path of the light coming through the first polarizer, will any light pass through? _____ (Yes/No) This arrangement of the two polarizers is called as 'crossed' polarizer position. (b) Let us consider the setup shown in Figure (B) above. If a glass (like those lead glass 'crystal drinking glasses) is placed in between two crossed polarizers, will any light pass through? _____ (Yes/No). When we place crystals of sugar between the crossed polarizer, we observe that some light is able to pass through the crossed polarizers and the crystals show vivid colors (image on the right). Note that the space between the crystals remains dark. Can you explain what the sugar crystal does to the polarized light that it doesn't behave like glass, or air in between?

Explanation / Answer

Question: (a) answer: No reason: Two ideal polarizers would eliminate all light if their transmission directions are placed at right angles. Question : (b) answer: yes Reason: Through an insulating material like glass the light will pass through and it will be partially polarized. what is the crystal doing to the polarized light? Unpolarized light entering a crystal is split into beams which are refracted by different amounts.These type of crystals are called birefringent crystals.

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