Final answer:
Polarized power cords have one blade wider than the other to ensure electricity flows in a specific direction, which enhances safety, while non-polarized cords can be plugged in any direction and are typically used with double-insulated appliances. Polarization in other contexts, such as sunglasses and LCDs, similarly involves controlling the direction of wave oscillation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between a polarized and non-polarized power cord lies in their plug design and the directionality of their electrical conductors. A polarized power cord has one blade wider than the other, ensuring that the electricity flows in one specific direction, with an inherent separation of positive and negative charges to prevent electrical mishaps. It aligns with polarized outlets that have one slot larger than the other, also to ensure that the cord is plugged in the correct way to match the live and neutral wires as per electrical standards. In contrast, a non-polarized power cord has blades that are the same size and can be inserted into an outlet in any direction, typically used for double-insulated appliances that do not require polarization.
Polarization is an important feature for safety, aligning with devices specifically designed to take advantage of this one-way flow of electricity. For example, polarized sunglasses are used to reduce glare by filtering out horizontal light waves through a similar concept of charge separation and directionality. This principle is also applied in various technologies, such as Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), which manipulate polarized light to produce images on screens.