Radio telescopes have poorer angular resolution than optical telescopes because radio waveshave a much longer wavelength than optical waves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The resolution of a telescope is determined by the wavelength of the radiation it receives. The longer the wavelength, the lower the resolution. Radio waves have much longer wavelengths than optical waves, therefore radio telescopes have poorer angular resolution than optical telescopes. This is true because angular resolution is related to the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves being observed. The longer the wavelength, the poorer the resolution. Radio waves have much longer wavelengths than optical waves, therefore radio telescopes have poorer angular resolution.

Radio Telescopes Have Poorer Angular Resolution Than Optical Telescopes Because