Ray Optics: Optical Instrument — Resolving Power MCQ

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Optical Instrument — Resolving PowerHardQuestion 20257

Question

Resolving power of a telescope (aperture D, wavelength λ) is:

A
D/λ
B
λ/D
C
D/(1.22λ)
Correct
D
1.22D/λ

Correct answer

D/(1.22λ)

Explanation

Resolving power = 1/θ_min = D/(1.22λ). Larger aperture → higher resolving power → finer angular detail. This is why large observatory mirrors (8–10 m) can resolve structures that smaller instruments cannot.

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