This movie shows several pairs of images. The first of the pair has the polarizer oriented so the lines run parallel to the surface we are looking at. The second image in the pair has the lines of the polarizer running perpendicular (normal) to the surface we are looking at. You should notice a large reduction in the glare in the second image. This reduction in the glare allows you to see beneath the surface of the water, or prevents glass windows from looking like mirrors. (It is recommended that you use the step forward and step backward buttons to compare the images in the pair. Simply playing the movie may go to fast.)
©1999 Science Joy Wagon