Marks: 2
Light cannot be linearly polarized by:
Choose one answer.
a. transmission
b. reflection
c. diffraction
d. scattering
To answer this question, we need to know what happens when light is linearly polarized during the processes of transmission, reflection, diffraction, and scattering.
1. Transmission: When light passes through a medium, such as a transparent object, it can be transmitted. During transmission, light maintains its polarization state, which means it can be linearly polarized.
2. Reflection: When light hits a surface, it can be reflected. The polarization of the reflected light depends on the angle of incidence and the nature of the surface. Reflection does not change the linear polarization of light, so it can be linearly polarized during reflection.
3. Diffraction: Diffraction occurs when light encounters an obstacle or passes through a small opening. It causes the light to spread out, resulting in bending or spreading of the light waves. Diffraction does not affect the polarization of light, so it can still be linearly polarized during diffraction.
4. Scattering: Scattering happens when light interacts with particles or irregularities in a medium. It causes the light to deviate from its original path and scatter in various directions. The scattered light can lose its original polarization and become unpolarized or randomly polarized. So, light can be depolarized (not linearly polarized) during scattering.
From the given options, the correct answer is (d) scattering. Light cannot be linearly polarized by scattering.