Polarization at Brewster’s Angle – Rankers Physics
Topic: Wave Optics
Subtopic: Miscellaneous

Polarization at Brewster’s Angle

Assertion (A): The plane of polarization of reflected ray is parallel to the refracting surface, when light is incident at polarising angle.
Reason (R): Vibration of electric field in refracted ray ceases about plane parallel to refracting surface.
 
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

At the polarizing angle (Brewster's angle), the reflected light is completely plane-polarized with its electric field vibrations perpendicular to the plane of incidence (i.e., parallel to the refracting surface). Thus, A is true. The refracted ray is partially polarized and still has electric field vibrations in various planes, not ceasing in any specific plane. Thus, R is false.

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