Explain light waves are transverse in nature using polaroids
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The wave nature of light
Straight lines
Light travels in straight lines. This is why you get sharp shadows and eclipses. It is also why you should use a ruler when drawing light rays in exams. However, light can ‘bend’ or refract when it passes from one substance to another.
Transverse waves
Waves can be longitudinal or transverse.
Light waves and all other types of electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Their vibrations happen at 90º to the direction of travel.
A transverse wave modelled on a length of rope:
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Transverse waves can be polarised, but longitudinal waves cannot. Light can be polarised, showing that it consists of transverse waves.
Polarisation happens when light travels through a polarising filter (Polaroid filter). The filter only lets light waves through if they are vibrating in the correct plane. The light that emerges is called plane-polarised light. Polaroid sunglasses make use of this to reduce the glare from the Sun and surfaces such as water in a pool.
Light consists of waves
Scientists in the past have argued about the nature of light. Isaac Newton thought it consisted of particles or ‘corpuscles’, while Christiaan Huygens thought it consisted of waves.
Although Newton’s theory might sound strange today, it can explain reflection of light. The particles of light would bounce off a surface as they hit it. However, a particle theory cannot explain interference patterns, which support the idea of light as waves.
Huygens thought that light existed as longitudinal waves - which cannot be polarised. So, at first, it appeared that light could not exist as waves because light can be polarised. However, polarisation is easily explained if light exists as transverse waves.
Next
The wave nature of light
Straight lines
Light travels in straight lines. This is why you get sharp shadows and eclipses. It is also why you should use a ruler when drawing light rays in exams. However, light can ‘bend’ or refract when it passes from one substance to another.
Transverse waves
Waves can be longitudinal or transverse.
Light waves and all other types of electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Their vibrations happen at 90º to the direction of travel.
A transverse wave modelled on a length of rope:
You have an old or no version of Flash - you need to upgrade to view this content! Go to the WebWise Flash install guide
Transverse waves can be polarised, but longitudinal waves cannot. Light can be polarised, showing that it consists of transverse waves.
Polarisation happens when light travels through a polarising filter (Polaroid filter). The filter only lets light waves through if they are vibrating in the correct plane. The light that emerges is called plane-polarised light. Polaroid sunglasses make use of this to reduce the glare from the Sun and surfaces such as water in a pool.
Light consists of waves
Scientists in the past have argued about the nature of light. Isaac Newton thought it consisted of particles or ‘corpuscles’, while Christiaan Huygens thought it consisted of waves.
Although Newton’s theory might sound strange today, it can explain reflection of light. The particles of light would bounce off a surface as they hit it. However, a particle theory cannot explain interference patterns, which support the idea of light as waves.
Huygens thought that light existed as longitudinal waves - which cannot be polarised. So, at first, it appeared that light could not exist as waves because light can be polarised. However, polarisation is easily explained if light exists as transverse waves.
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