Passive polarization is a phenomenon that occurs when light waves are filtered through a material that only allows certain orientations of light to pass through. This process results in the light becoming polarized, meaning its waves vibrate in a specific direction. Common examples of passive polarization can be found in sunglasses that reduce glare by blocking horizontally polarized light. In passive polarization, the material does not actively generate or manipulate the light; instead, it relies on the inherent properties of the light and the filtering medium. This concept is often utilized in photography and optics, where polarized filters enhance image quality by reducing reflections and improving contrast.