How does angular resolution for a given diameter of a telescope depend on wavelength?
A) Angular resolution worsens as wavelength increases.
B) Angular resolution may improve or worsen as wavelength increases, depending on other factors such as intensity and spectral range (e.g., optical, infrared, radio).
C) Angular resolution improves as wavelength increases.
D) Angular resolution depends only on the diameter of the telescope and is independent of wavelength.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Angular resolution worsens as wavelength increases because the ability of a telescope to distinguish fine details (angular resolution) is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light being observed. This relationship is described by the diffraction limit, which shows that longer wavelengths result in larger diffraction patterns, leading to poorer resolution.

How Does Angular Resolution for a Given Diameter of a Telescope