Polarized Light Explained + Experiments
Channel: Eric Mickelsen
Date: 2015-04-21

I discuss and experiment with polarizers and polarized light.  First though, I try to explain light itself, and the basic equations that govern its behavior.  Some of this is down to my own interpretation, so please feel free to discuss and debate in the comments.

=SUPPLIES=
Polarizing Film Sheet - set of 10: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X3XFHU/
Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCI3
I think the plastic wrap was Gladwrap, but I don't think that matters.

=IMAGES=
"Sphere wireframe" licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Sphere_wireframe_15deg_4r.svg
"View of paddy fields from Bojjannakonda hilllock, Sankaram" by Adityamadhav83 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_paddy_fields_from_Bojjannakonda_hilllock,_Sankaram.jpg#/media/File:View_of_paddy_fields_from_Bojjannakonda_hilllock,_Sankaram.jpg
"Double-slit". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double-slit.PNG#/media/File:Double-slit.PNG
"Double-slit experiment results Tanamura 2" by user:Belsazar - Provided with kind permission of Dr. Tonomura. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double-slit_experiment_results_Tanamura_2.jpg#/media/File:Double-slit_experiment_results_Tanamura_2.jpg
"Electromagnetic wave" by P.wormer - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electromagnetic_wave.png#/media/File:Electromagnetic_wave.png
"Ray optics diagram incidence reflection and refraction" by Nilock - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ray_optics_diagram_incidence_reflection_and_refraction.svg#/media/File:Ray_optics_diagram_incidence_reflection_and_refraction.svg
"Brewster window" by ChrisHodgesUK - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brewster_window.svg#/media/File:Brewster_window.svg
"Brewster cigar box" by Chasles Stutz Co., New York - [2]. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brewster_cigar_box.jpg#/media/File:Brewster_cigar_box.jpg
"Wire-grid-polarizer". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wire-grid-polarizer.svg#/media/File:Wire-grid-polarizer.svg
"Circular.Polarization.Circularly.Polarized.Light Homogenous Circular.Polarizer Left.Handed" by Dave3457 - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Circular.Polarization.Circularly.Polarized.Light_Homogenous_Circular.Polarizer_Left.Handed.svg#/media/File:Circular.Polarization.Circularly.Polarized.Light_Homogenous_Circular.Polarizer_Left.Handed.svg
"Rising circular" by de:Benutzer:Averse - http://www.radartutorial.eu/06.antennas/pic/zirkulanim.gif via de.wikipedia.org. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rising_circular.gif#/media/File:Rising_circular.gif
Some images used without attribution in the public domain.  http://www.pixabay.com  https://openclipart.org
Plots generated with http://www.fooplot.com

=MUSIC=
"Mell's Parade" by Broke for Free / CC BY 3.0
"The Theatrical Poster for Poltergeist III" by Chris Zabriskie / CC BY 4.0
"Day Bird" by Broke for Free / CC BY 3.0
"My Luck" by Broke for Free / CC BY 3.0