Here's why:
* Light as an electromagnetic wave: Light is an electromagnetic wave, meaning it consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation.
* Electron vibration: When an electron vibrates, it creates a changing electric field that propagates outwards as an electromagnetic wave.
* Polarization direction: The direction of polarization of light is defined by the direction of the electric field oscillation. Since the electric field is perpendicular to the direction of electron vibration, the polarization of light is also perpendicular to the electron vibration.
Analogy: Imagine a rope tied to a pole. If you shake the rope up and down, the wave will travel along the rope, but the rope itself will be vibrating up and down. The direction of wave propagation is along the rope, while the direction of vibration is perpendicular to the rope.
In summary: The polarization of light is a consequence of the direction of the electric field in the electromagnetic wave, which is determined by the direction of the electron vibration that produced it.
