What occurs when light passes through a polarizing filter?

• A. It gets absorbed entirely.
• B. It becomes unpolarized.
• C. It becomes polarized.
• D. It changes color.

Answer: (C)

When light passes through a polarizing filter, it becomes polarized. Polarization refers to the orientation of the light waves. Unpolarized light, such as sunlight, consists of waves vibrating in multiple planes. When this unpolarized light encounters a polarizing filter, only the waves vibrating in a specific direction can pass through. The filter essentially blocks all waves except those aligned with its own polarization axis.

This process of polarization is not only fundamental to understanding how polarized sunglasses can reduce glare but also plays a key role in various applications like LCD screens and photography. The ability of the filter to transmit light in a single plane is what fundamentally changes the nature of the light, making it polarized.