Brewster's Angle

Return to Polarization

Description:

Polarization by reflection. If the angle of incidence is such that the reflected and refracted rays are at 90 degrees to one another, the reflected ray will be completely polarized in the direction perpendicular to the plane of incidence and to the reflected rays. As seen in the diagram a projector shines unpolarized light on a sheet of glass. A polarizer is placed in front of or after the reflected beam to show that the light is polarized.

Location:

• Apparatus: M-3
• Light Source: Q-4