In the context of wave optics, which phenomenon provides direct experimental evidence for the transverse nature of light waves?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Polarization restricts the vibrations of light waves to a single plane perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, which is exclusively possible for transverse waves and proves that light waves are transverse. Interference and diffraction demonstrate the wave nature of light in general but do not distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves. Longitudinal sound waves cannot be polarized because their oscillations occur parallel to the direction of travel. James Clerk Maxwell established that light is an electromagnetic wave.