PURPOSE: To demonstrate polarization by reflection.

DESCRIPTION: Light from a bright point source passes through a polarizer and strikes a dielectric reflector. The mounted reflector is set to Brewster's angle, as shown in the photograph. All light reflected by the two dielectric sheets can be eliminated by rotating the polaroid in front of the lamp to only pass vertically polarized light, as seen in the center photograph below or by reflection off a second (upper) dielectric sheet shown in the photograph. Inserting a metal (conducting) sheet in place of the upper dielectric sheet (photograph at right below) shows the light reflected by both the lower dielectric and the upper conducting plates.

SUGGESTIONS:

REFERENCES: (PIRA 6H20.10)

EQUIPMENT: Bright point source with condenser lens, polarizer, dielectric reflector on calibrated rotator, and plastic sheet.

SETUP TIME: 5 min.