Why is it that Metal Polarises, and Wood doesn't?

Question

I think it does have something to do with the atomic structure, but to tell you the truth, I could not find the answer anywhere. physics Lecturers, come out and help!

Answer 1

If you're referring to light polarization, light reflected from very smooth unfinished wood can become polarized. It's not a strong effect, but you should be able to see a variation of brightness with a pair of polaroid sunglasses. Orient the flat wood surface so the grain lies across the direction of incoming sunlight, and position yourself to see glare from the surface. As you rotate the sunglasses you should see minimum glare with the glasses in normal orientation and maximum glare with them rotated 90 degrees.

Answer 2

metal is of crystal structure and has free electrons which means it conducts electricity well unlike wood that has fixed electrons. The movement of electrons creates an electromagnetic force. If a current is applied to a piece of metal then this leads to the realigning of electrons so that a net electromagnetic field is produced and polarisation.

If you apply a current to wood this doesnt happen as there are no free electrons in wood to polarise

Answer 3

My sister lived on a wood boat for 12 years. It had heat character and flaws merely like some people. metallic boats experience slightly chilly and heartless merely like some people. some say metallic boats provide off an electric powered wave length or something which while it is all around you need to have a touch unfavorable result on your strategies. i don't understand if theres something in it tho? wood is larger!

Answer 4

if by polarise you mean magnetize, then the short answer is that it is a phenomena of metal occurring in nature, notably nickel and iron and their alloys. since wood is organic it may contain these elements in miniscule portions but would probably not become magnetized if exposed to a magnetic field