polarization

[ poh-ler-uh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. a sharp division, as of a population or group, into opposing factions.
2. 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.
3. Electricity.
   1. the deposit of gases, produced during electrolysis, on the electrodes of a cell, increasing the resistance of the cell.
   2. a vector quantity indicating the electric dipole moment per unit of volume of a dielectric.
   3. the induction of polarity in a ferromagnetic substance.
4. the production or acquisition of polarity.

polarization

/ ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of having or giving polarity
2. 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

polarization

/ pō′lər-ĭ-zā′shən /

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

polarization

¹

1. The direction in which the electrical field of an electromagnetic wave points.

polarization

²

1. In politics, the grouping of opinions around two extremes: “As the debate continued, the union members were polarized into warring factions .”

Notes

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.

Other Words From

• de·polar·i·zation noun
• repo·lar·i·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of polarization¹

First recorded in 1805–15; polarize + -ation

Example Sentences

Russia tried to stir up domestic terrorism by fomenting polarization.

From Los Angeles Times

The Russians also ran an effective “doppelganger” network of websites that mimicked legitimate American news outlets like the Washington Post but published fake news to undermine confidence in elections and increase polarization.

From Los Angeles Times

The toxicity and polarization have broken up friendships and divided families, on a profoundly wounding level.

From Salon

Amid the deep polarization among the nation’s citizenry in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection and the COVID-19 pandemic, law enforcement officials were girding for threats against election workers, violence at polling places and voter intimidation — and preparing for what happens once the final ballots are cast.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m horrified by the division and the polarization of this world we’re in today.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emission