What characteristic of light waves allows polarization to occur, distinguishing them from sound waves?
**Two polaroids** with pass-axes perpendicular intensity zero because second blocks component, with 45° intensity I₀/4 if initial after first I₀, if initial unpolarized I₀, after first I₀/2 then after second at 45° I₀/4. Three polaroids first and third crossed 90°, middle at 45° maximum transmission because middle rotates polarization, I after first I₀/2, after middle at 45° I₀/4, after third at 45° to middle I₀/4×cos²45°= I₀/8, non-zero, maximum when middle 45°. Light waves are transverse, with electric fields oscillating perpendicular to the propagation direction, enabling polarization, unli
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Polarization and Malus Law