Why are some sunglasses polarized horizontally?
Aviation use of sunglasses do not need to block reflections (horizontally polarized), but just block a lot of light. So any polarization is OK. Typically, they are polarized at 45 degrees, so they wont reject all the light from an LCD display, which may be horizontally or vertically polarized.
thanks :)
Some sunglasses are polarized horizontally because it helps to block out glare and reduce eye strain caused by horizontal light waves. When light reflects off a horizontal surface such as water, roads, or snow, it becomes polarized horizontally and creates intense glare. Polarized sunglasses with horizontally oriented polarizing filters can block these horizontal light waves, preventing the glare from reaching your eyes.
To understand how polarization works, we need to first understand how light waves travel. Light waves are electromagnetic waves that oscillate in different planes as they travel. When light reflects off a surface, it becomes polarized. This means that the light waves align predominantly in one direction.
Polarized sunglasses have a special filter called a polarizing filter that is vertically oriented within the lenses. This filter selectively blocks the horizontally polarized light waves, allowing only vertically polarized light to pass through to your eyes. By eliminating the horizontally polarized light, polarized sunglasses enhance color clarity, improve contrast, and reduce glare.
To determine if your sunglasses are polarized horizontally, you can perform a simple test. Hold your sunglasses in front of a bright source of light, such as the sun or a lamp. Rotate the sunglasses in different directions while looking through the lenses. If you notice that the brightness or glare diminishes at a particular angle, it indicates that the sunglasses have horizontal polarization.
It is worth mentioning that not all sunglasses are polarized, and the polarization orientation can vary. Some sunglasses might be polarized vertically or even at an angle, depending on the manufacturer's design. So, if you specifically want horizontally polarized sunglasses, it is important to check the product description or inquire with the seller before making a purchase.