A-level Physics

• How do unpolarized waves differ from polarized waves?

  Unpolarized waves vibrate in multiple planes
• What effect does the chaotic pattern of unpolarized waves have?

  It creates a more chaotic wave pattern
• What happens when you shake a rope smoothly up and down?

  It creates a vertically polarized wave
• What are unpolarized waves defined as?

  Waves with vibrations in all directions
• What defines polarized waves?

  Vibrations oscillate in a single plane
• What happens to light when it passes through a polarizer?

  It becomes plane-polarized light
• What is the direction of propagation of the ray shown in the image?

  The direction of propagation of the ray is indicated by the arrow labeled "Direction of ray (of propagation)".
• In the provided diagram, what direction is the polarization axis shown?

  Vertical
• What does the image illustrate about the relationship between the electric field vectors and the direction of propagation?

  • The electric field vectors are perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the ray.
  • The electric field vectors are randomly oriented in different directions.
• What is the polarization axis in plane-polarized light?

  The direction of oscillation
• How does the polarizer convert unpolarized light into polarized light?

  • The polarizer allows light waves vibrating in one orientation to pass through
  • This filters out light waves vibrating in other orientations, producing polarized light
• What are the characteristics of polarized waves?

  • Vibrate in a single plane
  • Perpendicular to travel direction
  • Restricts vibrations to one specific axis
• What type of wave is described as plane polarized?

  Transverse wave
• Can longitudinal waves be polarized?

  No, they cannot be polarized
• What does the image illustrate about the direction of the electric field vectors in random polarization?

  The electric field vectors are oriented in random directions
• How can random vibrations of unpolarized waves be analyzed?

  They can be broken down into equal components
• What is the motion of particles in transverse waves?

  Particles move perpendicular to wave direction
• What is the term used to describe the random orientation of the electric field vectors in the image?

  Random polarization
• What is the role of a polarizer in creating plane-polarized light?

  • Filters out vibrations in all but one direction
  • Allows only specific direction of oscillation
  • Creates plane-polarized light
• How do polarized waves differ from unpolarized waves?

  Polarized waves vibrate along one specific axis
• What analogy is used to describe unpolarized waves?

  Shaking a rope wildly
• What is the point labeled "Equilibrium" in the image?

  The point where the wave has no displacement from its resting position
• What are the two types of light shown in the image?

  • Unpolarized light
  • Polarized light
• How does unpolarized light differ from plane-polarized light?

  Unpolarized light vibrates in all planes
• What is the name of the device shown in the image?

  Polarizer
• How are the oscillations of a plane-polarized wave restricted?

  They move only in a single plane
• What does the electric field vector (E) of an unpolarized wave indicate?

  It points in multiple directions with equal probability
• What are the characteristics of unpolarized waves?

  • Vibrate in all directions perpendicular to travel path
  • Mix of oscillations creates chaotic patterns
  • Contrast with polarized waves that vibrate in a single plane
• What are the key differences between transverse and longitudinal waves?

  • Transverse Waves:
  • Motion: Particles move perpendicular to wave direction
  • Polarization: Can be plane-polarized
  • Longitudinal Waves:
  • Motion: Particles move parallel to wave direction
  • Polarization: Cannot be polarized
• What is the purpose of the polarizer shown in the image?

  To convert unpolarized light into polarized light
• How could the symbols in the image be used to represent different physical concepts?

  • Light bulb: Represents energy, illumination, or ideas
  • Compass: Represents direction, orientation, or navigation
  • Wave: Represents oscillation, vibration, or propagation of energy
  • Line: Represents a path, connection, or boundary
• If you have linearly polarized light and want to convert it to circularly polarized light, which component of the device would you use?

  Quarter Wave Plate
• What is the relationship between the components of unpolarized waves and perpendicular axes?

  They can be broken down into equal components
• What is the purpose of a quarter wave plate?

  To convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light
• What is the shape representing a line in the image?

  A rectangle
• How can you identify a longitudinal wave versus a transverse wave?

  • Longitudinal wave: Displacement of medium is parallel to direction of wave propagation
  • Transverse wave: Displacement of medium is perpendicular to direction of wave propagation
• What is the name of the device shown in the image?

  Quarter Wave Plate
• What is the shape representing a wave in the image?

  An oval
• What type of waves have oscillations in all possible perpendicular directions?

  Unpolarized waves
• What are the characteristics of unpolarized waves?

  • Oscillations in all perpendicular directions
  • Random vibrations
  • Can be decomposed into equal components