Radio telescopes have poor resolving power because
A)their diameters are so large.
B)the energy they receive is not electromagnetic radiation.
C)radio waves have long wavelengths.
D)their diameters are so large and the energy they receive is not electromagnetic radiation.
E)None of the other choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The resolving power of a telescope is determined by its diameter or the length of the baseline in the case of interferometers, and the wavelength of the radiation being observed. As radio waves have long wavelengths (on the order of centimeters to meters), radio telescopes require much larger diameters or baselines compared to optical telescopes to achieve the same resolving power. Therefore, radio telescopes have poor resolving power because radio waves have long wavelengths.

Radio Telescopes Have Poor Resolving Power Because