Question

Using a refracting telescope, you observe the planet Mars when it is 2.11 × 10 11 m 2.11×1011 m from Earth. The diameter of the telescope's objective lens is 0.949 m 0.949 m . What is the minimum feature size, in kilometers, on the surface of Mars that your telescope can resolve for you? Use 553 nm 553 nm for the wavelength of light.

Answer 1

Answer:

y = 150 Km

Explanation:

given,                                                      

Distance of the planet Mars from earth D = 2.11 × 10¹¹ m          

The diameter of the telescope's objective lens d = 0.949 m      

The wavelength of light λ = 553 nm            

                                        = 553 x 10⁻⁹ m            

resolution of the telescope = ?                          

     $y = \dfrac{1.22\lambda\ D}{d}$          

     $y = \dfrac{1.22\times 553\times 10^{-9}\times 2.11 \times 10^{11}}{0.949}$                                          

           y = 150003 m                          

          y = 150 Km                          

the minimum feature size is equal to y = 150 Km