Resolving Distant Objects question

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The discussion focuses on resolving distant objects using a telescope with a 2.0 cm aperture. The relevant equation for calculating the maximum wavelength (lambda) for resolution is sin(theta) = 1.22 x lambda/D. The user initially calculated lambda as 0.492 nm but later corrected it to 492 nm after realizing a unit conversion error. The final resolution wavelength is confirmed to be 492 nm.

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[SOLVED] Resolving Distant Objects question

Consider a telescope with a small circular aperture of diameter 2.0 centimeters.

If two point sources of light are being imaged by this telescope, what is the maximum wavelength (lambda) at which the two can be resolved if their angular separation is 3.0 x 10^-5 radians?



Relevant equation - sin(theta) = 1.22 x lambda/D


I get - Dsin(theta)/1.22 = lambda
0.02 x sin(3.0 x 10^-5)/1.22 = lambda
= 4.92 x 10^-7
therefore lambda = 0.492 nm

It doesn't seem correct. Any help would be very appreciated.
 
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You're correct its just you have the units confused. It will be 492nm not 0.492. Remember a nanometer is 1 billionth of a meter. So one nanometer is 1x10-9 m.
 
yeah i just figured it out and was coming back to post as you replied, thanks anyway though.
 

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