Chapter 14, Problem 15RQ

Solution

To determine: The comparison between the direction of polariztaion of light and the direction of vibration of the electrons that produced it.

Answer:

The light emitted by the electrons polarizes in the same direction as the electrons vibrate.

Explanation:

A wave is said to be polarized if the vibrations of the wave are confined to a single plane. All transverse waves can be plane-polarized. Electromagnetic radiation is a transverse wave that is polarizable.

A vibrating electron emits electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic wave emitted by a single vibrating electron can be plane-polarized because the single electron vibrates in a single direction, making it possible to polarize in that direction.

When the electron is accelerating in a vertical direction, the light emitted by it is vertically polarized. When the electron is accelerating in the horizontal direction, the light emitted is horizontally polarized.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the light emitted by the electrons polarizes in the same direction as the electrons vibrate.