Calculate the resolving power of a telescope, assuming the diameter of the objective lens to be 6 cm and the wavelength of light used to be 540 nm.
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Question

Calculate the resolving power of a telescope, assuming the diameter of the objective lens to be 6 cm and the wavelength of light used to be 540 nm.

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a telescope with circular objective, the minimum resolvable angular separation is θₘᵢₙ=1.22λ/D. Hence resolving power RP=1/θₘᵢₙ=D/(1.22λ). With D=0.06 m and λ=540 nm, RP=0.06/[1.22×540×10⁻⁹]≈9.1×10⁴. Option D.