Light cannot be linearly polarized by:



transmission

reflection

diffraction

diffraction

I would think reflection...?

Light cannot be linearly polarized by:

A transmission
B reflection
C diffraction
D scattering

D

Actually, light can be linearly polarized by reflection. When light reflects off a surface, it can experience a change in polarization. This phenomenon is known as polarization by reflection and is commonly observed in everyday life, such as when light reflects off a calm water surface or a glass window.

The correct answer to your question is actually diffraction. Diffraction refers to the bending or spreading out of light as it passes through an aperture or encounters an obstacle. It does not alter the polarization of light. Diffraction can affect the intensity and pattern of light, but not its polarization state.

Transmission and reflection, on the other hand, can both affect the polarization of light. Light waves can be selectively transmitted or reflected based on their polarization, resulting in a change in their polarization state. This property is exploited in various applications, such as polarized sunglasses and optical polarizers.

So, in summary, the correct answer is diffraction, not reflection, when considering linear polarization of light.