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polarized light


plane polarization
Light in which the (electric and magnetic field) vibrations are confined to certain directions. In plane polarized light, the vibrations are confined to a single plane. In circular polarized light, this plane continuously rotates.

Plane polarized light can be used to distinguish between the two forms of chiral molecules (see chirality). Polarized ultraviolet radiation can influence chemical reactions that normally produce both left- and right-handed forms of a molecule, so that a preponderance of molecules of a particular handedness results.

See also Faraday rotation.


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