NEET Physics: Polarization Practice Questions

Correct answer: B — 0

Malus's Law is I = I₀ cos² θ. If θ= 90°, I = I₀ cos²(90°) = I₀ (0)² = 0.

Correct answer: B — Circularly polarized light

Light that exhibits a rotation of its electric field vector in a circle is known as circularly polarized light.

Correct answer: B — Polarized wave

Polarization is a specific property of transverse electromagnetic waves, where the oscillation of the electric field is restricted to a plane, defining the polarization.

Correct answer: C — θ= 90°

For the transmitted intensity I = I₀ sin²(θ) to be zero, sin²(θ) must be zero, which happens when θ= 0° or θ= 180°. In the context of polarizer angles, θ=0° means the polarizer is aligned with the polarization direction, resulting in zero transmission if the subsequent polarization is 90° relative to the first. However, based strictly on Malus's Law, I=0 occurs if sin²(θ)=0, so θ=0° (or 180°).

Correct answer: D — Orientation of the electric field oscillation

Polarization refers to the restriction of the plane of oscillation of the electromagnetic wave, which corresponds to the orientation of the electric field vector of the light wave.

Correct answer: B — 100%

When unpolarized light passes through a single ideal polarizer, the intensity is halved, resulting in a maximum degree of polarization of 50%.

Correct answer: D — Reflection

The polarization of light arises from the specific ways electromagnetic waves interact with dielectric materials or surfaces, primarily through reflection and transmission processes, leading to directionally restricted oscillation.

Correct answer: B — I₀/2

When unpolarized light passes through a single ideal polarizer, the intensity is reduced to half the incident intensity, regardless of the polarizer's orientation. Thus, the transmitted intensity is I₀/2.

Correct answer: A — Elliptical

When two linearly polarized waves with perpendicular orientations are superimposed, the resultant electric field vector forms an elliptical polarization.

Correct answer: D — Along the x-axis

If light is polarized along the x-axis, the electric field vector oscillates only along the x-axis.

Correct answer: D — Circular polarization

Circular polarization is defined by the rotation of the electric field vector by 360° as the wave travels, resulting in circular oscillations.

Correct answer: D — The reflected light is always linearly polarized.

When unpolarized light reflects off a perfect plane mirror, the reflected light is partially polarized. However, when linearly polarized light strikes the mirror at an angle, the reflected light becomes linearly polarized parallel to the plane of incidence (following Fresnel equations). For simple conceptual ease, the key takeaway is the dependence on the setup, making the most fundamental correct answer related to the change in polarization properties when reflection occurs. (Note: If we consider ideal reflection of unpolarized light, the result is partially polarized, but the concept tests how polarization interacts with reflection.)