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Chapter 9: Problem 12

Just before the Sun sets, a driver encounters sunlight reflecting off the side of a building. Will Polaroid sunglasses stop this glare? Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Yes, Polaroid sunglasses can stop the glare in this scenario, as they block horizontally polarized light, reducing the glare produced by sunlight reflecting off the side of a building.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the glare

When light hits a reflective surface, like the side of a building, it tends to become polarized in the plane of that surface. This means that most of the light waves are oscillating parallel to the surface. This polarized light is what we perceive as glare.
02

Understanding Polaroid sunglasses

Polaroid sunglasses contain polarizing lenses that work by blocking out light waves that oscillate in certain directions. They are designed to only allow light waves that are oscillating vertically (up and down) to pass through, blocking the horizontally (side-to-side) oscillating light waves. Thus, they can selectively block out polarized light causing glare.
03

Analyzing the effects of Polaroid sunglasses on the glare situation

In the given scenario, when sunlight reflects off the side of a building, it becomes horizontally polarized. This means that the light waves are oscillating horizontally, parallel to the surface. When wearing Polaroid sunglasses, the horizontal light waves are blocked by the lenses, while vertical light waves can pass through. As a result, the glare caused by the horizontally polarized light reflecting off the building will be significantly reduced or stopped by the Polaroid sunglasses.
04

Conclusion

Yes, Polaroid sunglasses can stop the glare in the given scenario, as they are designed to block horizontally polarized light, thus reducing the glare produced by sunlight reflecting off the side of a building.

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