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polarization |
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polarizationProperty of certain types of electromagnetic radiation in which the direction and magnitude of the vibrating electric field are related in a specified way. The electric vector representing the magnitude and direction of the electric field in a wave of light is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is moving. Unpolarized light consists of waves moving in the same direction with their electric vectors pointing in random orientations about the axis of propagation. Plane-polarized light consists only of waves that vibrate in one direction. In circular polarization the electric vector rotates about the propagation direction. Light may be polarized by reflection or by passing it through polarizing filters, such as certain crystals, that transmit vibrations in one plane but not in others. Polarized light has useful applications in crystallography, liquid-crystal displays, optical filters, and the identification of optically active chemical compounds. polarization, polarisation Physics the process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of the electric field vector How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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As with mega-cities across the globe, the polarisation between the haves and the have-nots remains a powerful fact of contemporary urban life. The polarisation increases through what the Swiss Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan calls 'leaflet-Islam'. However, the binary formulations identified here did more than simply distort the complexities of an already existent conflict; they also clarified that conflict, bringing social polarisation and local-political conflict into sharp focus. |
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