Question

The solar glare of sunlight bouncing off water or snow can be a real problem for drivers. The reflecting sunlight is horizontally polarized, meaning that the light waves oscillate at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to a vertical line. At what angle relative to this vertical line should transmission axis of polarized sunglasses be oriented, if they are to be effective against solar glare?

Can someone explain this please? Thanks!

Answer 1

The reflecting sunlight is horizontally polarized which means that the light waves oscillate at an angle of 90⁰ with respect to a vertical line.

The glare can be almost completely horizontally polarized, depending on the height of the sun. In addition, all reflections from objects above water are partially polarized. With polarized sunglasses the water appears more transparent.

At an angle, = 45⁰

The transmission axis of polarized sunglasses sholld be oriented, if they are to be effective against solar glare.