Skip to product information
1 of 7

Three-Polarizer Paradox Experiment Kit

Three-Polarizer Paradox Experiment Kit

1 total reviews

  • Hands-on Experiment

Item #296


The Three-Polarizer Paradox is a popular light experiment originally presented by theoretical physicist Paul Dirac in his 1930 book The Principles of Quantum Mechanics.

It is often used to illustrate the strange behavior of quantum mechanics, but it can be explained with classical mechanics as well.

The experiment, described on the reverse of this card, involves 3 identical, linear polarizing filters. Think of these filters as grates with tiny opaque bars crossing it in one direction, as in the image above. The light that passes through the grate is “linearly polarized”, meaning it is only oscillating in that linear plane.

Polarizing filters are great for photography since the effect cannot be created digitally.


  • Research Card
  • Accompanying Website

Regular price $10.00
Regular price Sale price $10.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Matter Subscriber Price:

View full details

more information

Collapsible content

Further Reading:

  1. Dirac Paul Adrien Maurice 1926 On the theory of quantum mechanics Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 112661–677 http://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1926.0133
  2. Dirac, P. A. M. (1981). The principles of quantum mechanics. Oxford: Clarendon Press https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Principles_of_Quantum_Mechanics/XehUpGiM6FIC?hl=en&gbpv=1
  3. The Three-Polarizer Paradox. (2023, January 11). College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University. https://chem.libretexts.org/@go/page/140336
  4. Zhang, Wen-Ran & Marchetti, Francesco. (2015). A Logical Exposition of Dirac 3-Polarizer Experiment and Its Potential Impact on Computational Biology. 10.13140/RG.2.1.2699.1848.
  5. Dirac Three Polarizers Experiment (Retrieved February 12, 2023) Information Philosopher https://www.informationphilosopher.com/solutions/experiments/dirac_3-polarizers/
  6. Third-Polarizing-Filter Experiment Demystified — How It Works (2004) Darel Rex Finley http://alienryderflex.com/polarizer/
  7. Rioux, Frank. Quantum Principles Illuminated with Polarized Light (Retrieved February 12, 2023) https://www.faculty.csbsju.edu/frioux/q-intro/polar-append.pdf
  8. Feynman, R. P.; Leighton, R. B.; Sands, M. The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Vol. III, Addison-Wesley: Reading, MA, 1965.
  9. Rioux, Frank. The Three-Polarizer Paradox (Retrieved February 12, 2023) https://www.faculty.csbsju.edu/frioux/polarize/ThreePolarizerParadox.pdf

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

We only list 100% verified authentic items. We work with reputable collectors, and regularly consult with our network of scientists and experts.

  • Free Shipping

    Orders ≥$50 qualify for free US shipping
    Orders ≥$100 qualify for free global shipping

  • Secure Payments

    Pay how you like: credit card, PayPal, After Pay, Shop Pay, Venmo, Apple/Google/Meta Pay & crypto

  • Simple Returns

    Change your mind? No problem. Enjoy easy returns within 30 days.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
0%
(0)
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Anonymous (California, United States)

Neat!

WE TAKE SCIENCE SERIOUSLY

You deserve better than craft store science products. And we think learning is more impactful when you're holding a tangible piece of what you're learning about. That's why Stemcell exists.

We're dedicated to providing the best scientific products available—whether they're fragments of scientific importance, experimental activities, or just interesting things that scratch your curiosity itch.

With every new product launch, our list of new ideas gets longer rather than shorter. So check in often for our latest projects, and thanks for being a part of our endeavor to make the world a smarter place to live.

Believe in yourself; for everything else, there's science.

— TERRY MUDGE, FOUNDER & SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR