Resolving power of a telescope depends ona)refractive index of objective lensb)diameter of objective lensc)focal length of objective lensd)the magnification of eye pieceCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

The resolving power of a telescope is given by RP∝2μsinθ/122λ
Further, sinθ ∝ tanθ ∝ diameter of the objective.
So, the resolving power of a telescope depends on the diameter of the objective lens.

Answer

The resolving power of a telescope is given by RP∝2μsinθ/122λ
Further, sinθ ∝ tanθ ∝ diameter of the objective.
So, the resolving power of a telescope depends on the diameter of the objective lens.

Answer

Explanation:

The resolving power of a telescope refers to its ability to distinguish between two closely spaced objects or to see fine details in an object. It is determined by several factors, but the most significant one is the diameter of the objective lens or mirror.

Diameter of the Objective Lens:
The resolving power of a telescope is directly proportional to the diameter of its objective lens. The larger the diameter, the higher the resolving power. This is because a larger objective lens collects more light and allows for a greater amount of diffraction to occur. Diffraction is the bending of light waves as they pass through a small opening or around an obstruction, and it limits the ability to resolve fine details. By increasing the diameter of the objective lens, more light is collected, and the diffraction effects are minimized, resulting in better resolving power.

Refractive Index of the Objective Lens:
The refractive index of the objective lens affects the overall performance of the telescope, but it does not directly determine the resolving power. The refractive index determines how the lens bends or refracts light, but it does not have a significant impact on the ability to resolve fine details.

Focal Length of the Objective Lens:
The focal length of the objective lens determines the magnification of the telescope but does not directly affect the resolving power. A longer focal length will result in higher magnification, but it does not improve the ability to resolve fine details.

The Magnification of the Eyepiece:
The magnification of the eyepiece also does not directly affect the resolving power of the telescope. The eyepiece magnifies the image formed by the objective lens, but it does not enhance the ability to distinguish between closely spaced objects or see fine details.

In conclusion, the resolving power of a telescope primarily depends on the diameter of the objective lens. By increasing the diameter, more light is collected, and the effects of diffraction are minimized, resulting in improved resolving power. The other factors such as the refractive index of the objective lens, focal length of the objective lens, and the magnification of the eyepiece do not directly affect the resolving power, although they contribute to the overall performance of the telescope.

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