Polarization
Edit Watch this page Read in another language Polarization (waves) For other uses, see Polarization . Circular polarization on rubber thread, converted to linear polarization Polarization ( also polarisation ) is a property applying to transverse waves that specifies the geometrical orientation of the oscillations . [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] In a transverse wave, the direction of the oscillation is transverse to the direction of motion of the wave, so the oscillations can have different directions perpendicular to the wave direction. [4] A simple example of a polarized transverse wave is vibrations traveling along a taut string (see image) ; for example, in a musical instrument like a guitar string . Depending on how the string is plucked, the vibrations can be in a vertical direction, horizontal direction, or at any angle perpendicular to the string. In contrast, in longitudinal waves , such as sound waves in a liquid or gas, the displacement of the pa