polarization
[ poh-ler-uh-zey-shuh n ]
/ ˌpoʊ lər əˈzeɪ ʃən /
noun
a sharp division, as of a population or group, into opposing factions.
Optics.
a state, or the production of a state, in which rays of light or similar radiation exhibit different properties in different directions.
Compare circular polarization, elliptical polarization, plane polarization.
Electricity.
- the deposit of gases, produced during electrolysis, on the electrodes of a cell, increasing the resistance of the cell.
- a vector quantity indicating the electric dipole moment per unit of volume of a dielectric.
- the induction of polarity in a ferromagnetic substance.
the production or acquisition of polarity.
OTHER WORDS FROM polarization
de·po·lar·i·za·tion, noun re·po·lar·i·za·tion, nounWords nearby polarization
polari,
polarimeter,
polaris,
polariscope,
polarity,
polarization,
polarization charge,
polarize,
polarized,
polarized light,
polarizer
Example sentences from the Web for polarization
British Dictionary definitions for polarization
polarization
polarisation
/ (ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən) /
noun
the condition of having or giving polarity
physics
the process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of the electric field vector
Medical definitions for polarization
polarization
[ pō′lər-ĭ-zā′shən ]
n.
The production or condition of polarity.
A process or state in which rays of light exhibit different properties in different directions, especially the state in which all the vibration takes place in one plane.
The partial or complete polar separation of positive and negative electric charge in a nuclear, atomic, molecular, or chemical system.
The coating of an electrode with a thick layer of hydrogen bubbles, with the result that the flow of current is weakened or arrested.
The development of differences in potential between two points in living tissues, as between the inside and outside of the cell wall.
Scientific definitions for polarization
polarization
[ pō′lər-ĭ-zā′shən ]
A condition in which transverse waves vibrate consistently in a single plane, or along a circle or ellipse. Electromagnetic radiation such as light is composed of transverse waves and can be polarized. Certain kinds of light filters, including sunglasses that reduce glare, work by filtering out light that is polarized in one direction.
The displacement of positive and negative electric charge to opposite ends of a nuclear, atomic, molecular, or chemical system, especially by subjection to an electric field. Atoms and molecules have some inherent polarization.
An increased resistance to the flow of current in a voltaic cell, caused by chemical reactions at the electrodes. Polarization results in a reduction of the electric potential across the voltaic cell.
Cultural definitions for polarization (1 of 2)
notes for polarization
Reflected
light, such as the light that produces glare on a sunny day, is polarized so that the electrical field is parallel to the ground. Some sunglasses are designed to take advantage of this property by blocking out that particular polarization while allowing other light to come through.
Cultural definitions for polarization (2 of 2)
polarization
In politics, the grouping of opinions around two extremes: “As the debate continued, the union members were polarized into warring factions.”