Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Polaroids are materials that polarize light. Natural light is unpolarized, meaning its electric field vibrates in all planes perpendicular to the direction of travel.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Glare Reduction: Light reflected from horizontal surfaces like water or roads is partially polarized in the horizontal plane. This creates "glare," which is intense and blinding.
2. Filtering: Polaroids in sunglasses are oriented vertically to block this horizontally polarized light.
3. Intensity Control: By blocking one component of the light wave and reducing reflected glare, polaroids significantly reduce the total intensity of light reaching the eye, making vision clearer and more comfortable.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The primary purpose is to control (reduce) the intensity of light and eliminate glare.