Question

Define linearly polarized light.Answer the given question in brief.

Answer 1

Molecules in air behave like a dipole radiator. When the sunlight falls on a molecule, dipole molecule does not scatter energy along the dipole axis, however the electric field vector of light wave vibrates just in one direction perpendicular to the direction of the propagation. The light wave having direction of electric field vector in a plane is said to be linearly polarised. In figure, a dipole molecule is lying along x-axis. Molecules behave like dipole radiators and scatter no energy along the dipole axis.