Practice question
Question
Why does the wave theory require light to propagate as transverse waves to explain polarization?
Explanation
**Polaroid rotation** intensity varies sinusoidally with angle due to Malus law I = I₀ cos²θ, when polaroid rotated 90° from initial, intensity goes from max to zero, for unpolarized light rotating polaroid does not change intensity after first polaroid because average, but second polaroid intensity depends on relative angle, explains why intensity transmitted through two polaroids drops to zero when perpendicular. Only transverse waves have oscillations perpendicular to propagation that can be filtered in specific directions, unlike longitudinal waves, enabling polarization. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC =
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