Which optical phenomenon provides direct empirical evidence that light waves are transverse rather than longitudinal?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. polarization of electromagnetic light beams through polarizing filters
- Step 1: Longitudinal waves vibrate parallel to propagation and cannot be plane-polarized. Step 2. Transverse waves vibrate perpendicular to propagation and can be restricted to a single plane (polarization). Step 3. Only transverse waves exhibit polarization. Answer: polarization of electromagnetic light beams through polarizing filters. Why not the others: Diffraction, interference, and refraction occur in all wave types.
Practise more Mechanics, Thermal Physics and Waves.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination mock tests.
More Mechanics, Thermal Physics and Waves questions
- A car accelerates uniformly from rest at a constant rate of 2.5 m/s² for 8.0 seconds along a straight highway. What total distance does the…
- A stone is projected horizontally with an initial speed of 15 m/s from the edge of a vertical cliff 45 m high. Calculate its horizontal rang…
- A block of mass 12 kg rests on a rough horizontal concrete floor. If the coefficient of static friction between the surfaces is 0.35, calcul…
- An artillery shell of mass 8.0 kg is fired horizontally at 250 m/s from a mobile gun of mass 1,000 kg on a frictionless track. Determine the…
- A uniform meter rule is balanced horizontally on a knife edge placed at the 40 cm mark when a mass of 60 g is suspended from the 10 cm mark.…
- An electric crane lifts a steel beam of mass 500 kg vertically upwards through a height of 24 m in 12 seconds at constant speed. What is the…