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Which of the following waves cannot be polarised?
1
A radio
B ultrasonic
C microwave
D ultraviolet
(Total 1 mark)
The sound quality of a portable radio is improved by adjusting the orientation of the aerial.
2 Which statement is a correct explanation of this improvement?
A The radio waves from the transmitter are polarised.
B The radio waves from the transmitter are unpolarised.
C The radio waves become polarised as a result of adjusting the aerial.
D The radio waves become unpolarised as a result of adjusting the aerial.
(Total 1 mark)
Which one of the following properties of light waves do polarising sunglasses depend on for their
3 action?
Light waves may
A interfere constructively.
B interfere destructively.
C be polarised when reflected from a surface.
D be polarised by the lens in the eye.
(Total 1 mark)
(a) State the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.
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(2)
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(b) State what is meant by polarisation.
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(2)
(c) Explain why polarisation can be used to distinguish between transverse and longitudinal
waves.
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(Total 6 marks)
Polarization is a property of one type of wave.
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(a) Circle below the type of wave that can be polarized.
transverse longitudinal
(1)
(b) Give one example of the type of wave that can be polarized.
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(1)
(c) Explain why some waves can be polarized but others cannot. Space is provided for
sketches should you wish to include them in your answer.
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(3)
(Total 5 marks)
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(a) State the characteristic features of
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(i) longitudinal waves,
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(ii) transverse waves.
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(3)
(b) Daylight passes horizontally through a fixed polarising filter P. An observer views the light
emerging through a second polarising filter Q, which may be rotated in a vertical plane
about point X as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Describe what the observer would see as Q is rotated slowly through 360°.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication provided in
your answer.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)
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(a) Define the amplitude of a wave.
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(b) (i) Other than electromagnetic radiation, give one example of a wave that is transverse.
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(ii) State one difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave.
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(c) The figure below shows two identical polarising filters, A and B, and an unpolarised light
source. The arrows indicate the plane in which the electric field of the wave oscillates.
(i) If polarised light is reaching the observer, draw the direction of the transmission axis
on filter B in the figure below.
(1)
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(ii) The polarising filter B is rotated clockwise through 360º about line XY from the
position shown in the figure above. On the axes below, sketch how the light intensity
reaching the observer varies as this is done.
(2)
(d) State one application, other than in education, of a polarising filter and give a reason for its
use.
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)
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