What is meant by spectral resolution?
A)It is a measure of how much energy an object emits in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
B)It is a measure of how close two spectral lines can be distinguished.
C)It is a measure of how close two point sources can be distinguished.
D)It is the same as angular resolution when applied to telescopes operating at different wavelengths.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Spectral resolution is a measure of how close two spectral lines can be distinguished. It is important in fields such as astronomy and spectroscopy where precise identification of different elements and molecules is necessary.

Answer: A, D
 While A is not a direct definition of spectral resolution, it is related as spectral resolution can affect how much energy an object emits in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. D is also related as angular resolution and spectral resolution are both measures of a telescope's ability to distinguish and resolve objects or features, but they are applied differently (angular resolution refers to the ability to distinguish two point sources while spectral resolution refers to the ability to distinguish two spectral lines).

What Is Meant by Spectral Resolution