Polarization and Direction Name: Jess V. Why does the "axis" of
a Polaroid lens appear to shift by a quarter turn (90 degrees)
for light traveling in opposite directions? This behavior does
not seem to fit the standard "picket fence" model for polarized
light. This is not the behavior of a typical polarizing film.
Please make sure you are doing the experiment correctly. It
requires two pieces of polarizing film and a light source such
as a you must know the orientation of at least one film's
polarization axis Put the two pieces of polarizing film in front
of the light Rotate the polarizing film closest to the light so
that most of the light is transmitted through both pieces of
film. Turn the other polarizing film around so that light is
passing through it in the opposite direction. It is very
important that you not change the orientation of the
polarization axis of the film when you do this. If you happen to
rotate it about an axis that is at 45 to the true polarization
axis of the film it will appear as tho