polarization

1. In electricity, coating of an electrode with a thick layer of hydrogen bubbles, with the result that the flow of current is weakened or arrested. 2. A change effected in a ray of light passing through certain media, whereby the transverse vibrations occur in one plane only, instead of in all planes as in an ordinary light ray. 3. Development of differences in potential between two points in living tissues, as between the inside and outside of a cell wall.

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po·lar·iza·tion also Brit po·lar·isa·tion .pō-lə-rə-'zā-shən n the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as

a ) (1) the action or process of affecting radiation and esp. light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form (2) the state of radiation affected by this process

b) an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes

c) MAGNETIZATION

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po·lar·iza·tion (po″lər-ĭ-zaґshən) 1. the presence or establishment of polarity. 2. the production of that condition in light by virtue of which its vibrations take place all in one plane or else in circles and ellipses. 3. the accumulation of bubbles of hydrogen gas on the negative plate of a galvanic battery, so that the generation of electricity is impeded. 4. the separation of electric charge so that there is directionality of flow, as between two poles (the anode and the cathode) of an electrolysis cell, or such as that across a biological membrane, which results in a membrane potential. See also depolarization and repolarization.