Question

Which of the following waves CANNOT be polarised?
1. Acoustic waves
2. Light waves
3. X - rays
4. Radio waves

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Acoustic waves

• Polarization refers to the direction of the electric field in an electromagnetic wave.
• A wave whose electric field is oscillating in the vertical direction is said to be polarized in the vertical direction.
• The photons of such a wave would interact with matter differently than the photons of a wave polarized in the horizontal direction.
• The electric field in light waves from the sum vibrates in all directions, so direct sunlight is unpolarized.
• Sunlight reflected from a surface is partially polarized, parallel to the surface.
• Radio waves, x-rays, and light waves can be polarized, but the acoustic wave cannot be polarized because it can not propagate through a vacuum.