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9. Recall from class that the resolution is limited due to the nature of light. More specifically, since light diffracts as it goes through a small opening, it becomes difficult to differentiate two light sources when the diffraction central peak from one source overlaps with the first minimum of the second source, as shown in the figure below. The angle subtended by the sources at the slit is large enough for the diffraction patterns to be distinguishable. The angle subtended by the sources is so small that their diffraction patterns overlap, and the images are not well resolved.

9. Recall from class that the resolution is limited due to the nature of light. More specifically, since light diffracts as it goes through a small opening, it becomes difficult to differentiate two light sources when the diffraction central peak from one source overlaps with the first minimum of the second source, as shown in the figure below. The angle subtended by the sources at the slit is large enough for the diffraction patterns to be distinguishable. The angle subtended by the sources is so small that their diffraction patterns overlap, and the images are not well resolved.

College Physics
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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9. Recall from class that the resolution is limited due to the nature of light. More specifically, since light diffracts as it goes through a small opening, it becomes difficult to differentiate two light sources when the diffraction central peak from one source overlaps with the first minimum of the second source, as shown in the figure below. The angle subtended by the sources at the slit is large enough for the diffraction patterns to be distinguishable. The angle subtended by the sources is so small that their diffraction patterns overlap, and the images are not well resolved. 44 Slit Viewing screen Slit Viewing screen (a) The pupil of the human eye has an aperture of around 5mm, and visible light has wavelengths peaked around 500nm. Estimate the angular resolution of the human eye (that is, the smallest angle for which you could distinguish that light was coming from two different directions). (b) Suppose two point sources of light were separated by a distance r, and you are standing one meter away from them. Estimate the smallest distance r for which you could tell that there were two point sources (rather than just one).
Transcribed Image Text:9. Recall from class that the resolution is limited due to the nature of light. More specifically, since light diffracts as it goes through a small opening, it becomes difficult to differentiate two light sources when the diffraction central peak from one source overlaps with the first minimum of the second source, as shown in the figure below. The angle subtended by the sources at the slit is large enough for the diffraction patterns to be distinguishable. The angle subtended by the sources is so small that their diffraction patterns overlap, and the images are not well resolved. 44 Slit Viewing screen Slit Viewing screen (a) The pupil of the human eye has an aperture of around 5mm, and visible light has wavelengths peaked around 500nm. Estimate the angular resolution of the human eye (that is, the smallest angle for which you could distinguish that light was coming from two different directions). (b) Suppose two point sources of light were separated by a distance r, and you are standing one meter away from them. Estimate the smallest distance r for which you could tell that there were two point sources (rather than just one).
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Suppose two point sources of light were separated by a distance x, and you are

standing one meter away from them. Estimate the smallest distance x for which you

could tell that there were two point sources (rather than just one).

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