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#electric field orientation

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Polarization and Malus Law

What type of wave is light, based on the direction of its electric field relative to its propagation direction?

**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. Light is a transverse wave because its electric field oscillates perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, s

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Polarization and Malus Law

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Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

What fundamental concept explains why the electric field just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular to its surfac

**Electric field** defined as E = F/q₀, force per unit positive test charge, unit N/C or V/m, direction along force on positive test charge. For point charge, E = k q/r² radially outward for q>0. Field lines start on positive and end on negative, density indicates strength. In electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside a conductor is zero. If the field just outside had a tangential component, charges would move along the surface, contradicting equilibrium. Thus, the field must be normal to the surface. Substituting values gives Electrostatic equilibrium, which matches expected magnit

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electric Charges and Fields > Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

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