We know the fact that light is a form of energy, and the sun is the main source of light. Light is composed of energy packets known as photons. These photons comprise waves of electromagnetic radiation and are very tiny by nature. Photons are also known as light quantum. The existence of discrete packets of energy was first proposed by Albert Einstein while explaining the concept of the photoelectric effect.

Light is also addressed as visible light and is electromagnetic in nature. Light has the ability to undergo various phenomenons that have created applicational benefits in different fields. Scattering, dispersion, reflection, refraction, polarisation and total internal reflection are some of the phenomenons that light can undergo. Some of the spectacular events due to light can be witnessed in nature. Rainbow takes place because of reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets. Do you know why the sky appears blue in colour? It is due to the grand phenomena of scattering of light. In this article, let us concentrate and know in detail about two major concepts of light; scattering and polarisation.

Scattering of Light

When light travels from one medium to any other medium, a portion of the visible light is absorbed by particles of the medium and is transmitted in a particular direction. This phenomenon is termed the scattering of light. When the light passes from air to glass, it undergoes scattering of light. Here air acts as one medium, and glass acts as another medium. The intensity of scattered light depends on the size of the particles and the wavelength of the light associated. One of the best concepts associated with scattering is Raman scattering. Raman scattering produces scattered photons with a different frequency depending on the source and the vibrational and rotational properties of the scattered molecules.

In the year 1930, Sir C V Raman was awarded the Nobel prize for this concept and is named Raman scattering. It is also known as the Raman effect. Raman Scattering is defined as the scattering of photons by excited molecules at higher energy levels. Here, photons are inelastically scattered, which means that the kinetic energy of an incident particle is either lost or increased. Raman Spectroscopy is a technique used for chemical analysis to provide detailed information about the chemical structure, phase, crystallinity, polymorphy, and molecular interactions of the compound.

Polarization of Light

Do you know why anti-glare glasses are used while going out and even while driving? Polarised anti-glare sunglasses reduce glare-causing reflections from flat surfaces. The glaring of light is caused by the horizontal light. The polarized lenses are used to block this type of light and only allow vertically falling light. Hence, it eliminates the glare from entering directly into the eyes. Here polarisation of the light comes into the picture. Polarization of light is a property applied to transverse waves that specify the geometrical orientation of the oscillations. There are three types of polarisation: Linear polarization, Circular polarization and Elliptical polarization. To know more about the polarisation of light, visit BYJU’S. You can also know the exact reason what the colour of the sunis? Is it yellow, red and orange? Know the exact reason for the appearance of the sun.