Engineering Physics Multiple Choice Questions on “Polarisation of Light”.
1. A linearly polarized wabe is always __________
a) In x-y plane
b) A Transverse wave
c) A Longitudinal wave
d) In y-z plane
Answer: b
Clarification: A linearly polarized is always a transverse wave, i.e., the displacement of each point is always at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave.
2. The direction in which the electric vectors oscillate in a polarized wave is called as _______
a) Polarizing axis
b) Plane of polarization
c) Pass axis
d) Propagating axis
Answer: c
Clarification: When a light wave is polarized, the electric vectors along the direction of propagation are absorbed by the polaroid. Thus, the electric vectors oscillate perpendicular to the propagation of wave. This direction is known as pass axis.
3. Sound waves can be polarized.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Longitudinal waves cannot be polarized as their direction is the same as its vibration. Thus, it’s intensity will not change as it passes through a rotating analyzer.
4. A window which can transmit all the incident light without any reflection is called as ___________
a) Polarized Window
b) Malus Window
c) Brewster Window
d) Non-reflecting window
Answer: c
Clarification: Brewster window is the practical use of Brewster law. When light is incident on a clean glass plate, most of the incident light (>> 92%) is transmitted while a small fraction is reflected.
5. If the phase difference between two rays is π/2 and the angle of incidence is equal to π/4, the emergent light is __________
a) Linearly Polarized
b) Elliptically Polarized
c) Circularly Polarized
d) Non-Polarized
Answer: c
Clarification: In this case, the equation of the emergent light becomes the equation of a circle, which is x2 + y2 = a2. Thus, the emergent light is elliptically polarized and the plane of the ellipse is normal to the direction of propagation.
6. The velocity of light in water is 1.5 X 108 m/s. What is the polarizing angle of incidence?
a) 47.23°
b) 51.02°
c) 53.74°
d) 63.43°
Answer: d
Clarification: Refractive index of water = Speed of light in space/Speed of light in water
= 3/1.5
= 2
Using Brewster’s Law, Angle of incidence = tan-1µ
= tan-12
= 63.43.
7. An electromagnetic beam has an intensity 16 W/m2 and is linearly polarized vertically. What is the intensity of the transmitted beam, if the angle of incidence on the polaroid is 45° with the vertical?
a) 8 Wm-1
b) 12 Wm-1
c) 16 Wm-1
d) 20 Wm-1
Answer: a
Clarification: Here, Io = 16 Wm-2, θ = 45°
Using Malus law, I = Iocos2θ
I = 16 X cos245
I = 8 Wm-1.
8. What should be the thickness of quarter-wave plate for a light of wavelength 5000 Å if µe = 1.553 and µo = 1.544?
a) 1.38 X 10-3 cm
b) 1.43 X 10-3cm
c) 1.53 X 10-3cm
d) 1.63 X 10-3 cm
Answer: a
Clarification: (t =frac{λ}{4(μ_E-μ_0)} )
Λ = 5000 Å = 5000 X 10-8 cm, µe = 1.553 and µo = 1.544
Therefore, t = 5000 Å X 10-8/4 X 0.009
= 1.38 X 10-3 cm.
9. A tube of length 20cm containing a 10% sugar solution rotates the plane of polarization by 13.2°. What is the specific rotation of sugar solution?
a) 66°
b) 55°
c) 44°
d) 33°
