Chapter 16, Problem 53A

To determine

Whether the sunlight reflected off the surface of a lake is polarized, and in which direction.

Answer to Problem 53A

The reflected light is partially polarized.

The direction of polarization is parallel to the surface of a lake and perpendicular to the light path from the lake surface to the person’s eyes.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Polarization of light: Sunlight is an unpolarized light. In an unpolarized light the particles vibrate in more than one direction and in polarized light, particles vibrate in only one direction. Unpolarized light can be transformed into a polarized light by various means which is called polarization.

In this problem, the sunlight is reflected off the surface of a lake. Hence there will be a partial polarization in the reflected light. It is because, light reflected from the non-metallic surfaces such as water, glass etc. are partially polarized.

The direction of polarization is parallel to the lake surface and perpendicular to the light path from the lake surface to the person’s eyes.