What Does the Rayleigh Criterion Reveal About Star Colors and Lens Diameter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jegues
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Rayleigh
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the application of the Rayleigh criterion in understanding star colors and the impact of lens diameter on optical resolution. Participants express confusion about how to approach the homework question and seek clarification on the relevant concepts. The Rayleigh criterion is identified as a crucial element for solving the problem, particularly regarding angular resolution in telescopes. There is uncertainty about how to extract data from the question and the relationship between lens size and star color. Overall, the focus is on understanding the interplay between optical properties and astronomical observations.
jegues
Messages
1,085
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement



See figure attached.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I'm really confused as to how to solve this question. What concept does this question have to do with?

Thanks again!
 

Attachments

  • Q17.JPG
    Q17.JPG
    29 KB · Views: 459
Physics news on Phys.org
I like Serena said:
Looks to me as if you indeed need the Rayleigh criterion.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_telescope#Angular_resolution

How do I get any data from the question? The only thing I can determine is whether the diameter of the lense is small or large. What does the colour of the stars have to do with it?
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Rayleigh's Criterion + Moon (What am I doing wrong?)
Replies
18
Views
3K
Rayleigh Criterion or Resolving Power?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Rayleigh criterion (two wavelengths) + diffraction grating
Replies
4
Views
4K
How Does Pinhole Diameter Affect Image Sharpness in Rayleigh Criterion?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Can the Hubble telescope measure the diameter of Betelgeuse?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Simple Optic Resolution Problem/ Rayleigh's Criterion
Replies
1
Views
4K
What Does the Rayleigh Criterion Reveal About Image Resolution?
Replies
1
Views
4K
Problem on thermal radiation and lenses
Replies
3
Views
1K
Combination lens equation questions
Replies
2
Views
1K
Photoelectric current and a convex lens
2
Replies
56
Views
6K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top