3 Satellite There are claims that a spy satellite can read license plate numbers from space or read a newspaper over your shoulder. In this problem, we will assess these claims using wave optics. (a) Reading a licence plate number requires a linear resolution of about 5 cm. (You must be able to distinguish objects that are 2 inches apart.) For a satellite at a height of 150 km, what angular resolution does this imply? (b) For light with a wavelength of 550nm, what size aperture is required to achieve this resolution? (c) Many newspapers use 10 point fonts for the text: The standard size of a letter is about 3.5 mm. What size aperture would the same satellite need in order to read the newspaper over your shoulder?

3 Satellite There are claims that a spy satellite can read license plate numbers from space or read a newspaper over your shoulder. In this problem, we will assess these claims using wave optics. (a) Reading a licence plate number requires a linear resolution of about 5 cm. (You must be able to distinguish objects that are 2 inches apart.) For a satellite at a height of 150 km, what angular resolution does this imply? (b) For light with a wavelength of 550nm, what size aperture is required to achieve this resolution? (c) Many newspapers use 10 point fonts for the text: The standard size of a letter is about 3.5 mm. What size aperture would the same satellite need in order to read the newspaper over your shoulder?