Rayleigh's criterion for image resolution

Questions

1 Sketch the diffraction pattern of a distant point source of light when viewed through a small hole.

, , , , , , ,

2 Label the Airy disc on your sketch above.

 

3 The equation that describes Rayleigh's criterion for the resolution of two point source diffraction patterns can be written as....

x'/L' = 1.22 l/d

... where l is the wavelength of the light.

Mark the lengths x' ... L' ... and d ... on the diagram above.

 

4 Which instrument has the greatest resolving power?

a The human eye.

b A set of bird watchers binoculars.

c The biggest telescope available in any shop in Bangkok.

d The Hubble space telescope.