Mission LC2: Polarization

Mission LC2 pertains to the distinction between polarized and unpolarized light and the manner in which light interacts with a Polaroid filter. The mission consists of 32 questions organized into 8 Question Groups. You must answer one question from each Question Group to complete the mission. The learning outcomes for this mission are ...

 

Learning Outcomes

• The student should be able to distinguish between polarized and unpolarized light.
• The student should be able to predict the effect of a Polaroid filter or combination of filters upon the vibrational habits of light.

 

Launch Mission LC2

 

Getting Help

If you are not familiar with this topic, then you should first learn about the topic using our written Tutorial or our Video Tutorial:
 

The Physics Classroom, Light and Color Unit, Lesson 1, Part d

• What are vibrations of light in multiple planes referred to as?
• What are vibrations of light in a single plane referred to as?
• What role does a Polaroid filter play?
• What is the relationship between the axis of transmission of a Polaroid filter and the direction which polarized light waves vibrate?
• What is the result of passing unpolarized light through two filters whose polarization axes are aligned perpendicular to each other?
• In what direction does light become polarized upon reflection off a surface?

 

Video Tutorials:

Polarized Light and Polaroid Filters

 

 

Question-Specific Help

Each Question Group has its own Help page with information specific to the question. You can access the Help page from within the mission by tapping on the Help Me! icon (textbook). For your convenience, links to those pages are provided below: