Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 22 - Wave Optics - Exercises and Problems - Page 653: 75

Answer

a) $0.52\;\rm mm$ b) $0.074^\circ$ c) $1.3\;\rm m$

Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ Since it is similar to the circular aperture, $$w=\dfrac{2.44\lambda L}{D}$$ And since we need the central maximum equals the diameter of the pinhole, Thus, $$D^2=2.44\lambda L$$ $$D=\sqrt{2.44\lambda L}$$ Plugging the known; $$D=\sqrt{2.44(550\times 10^{-9})(20\times 10^{-2})}=\bf 5.2\times 10^{-4}\;\rm m$$ $$D=\color{red}{\bf 0.52}\;\rm mm$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ We can use the formula of, $$\alpha=\theta_1=\dfrac{1.22\lambda}{D}$$ to find the angle between the two distant sources that can be resolved. Plugging the known; $$\alpha =\dfrac{1.22(550\times 10^{-9}) }{ 5.2\times 10^{-4}}=\bf 1.29\times 10^{-3} \;\rm rad=\color{red}{\bf0.074^\circ}$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [c]}$$ The distance between two street lights 1 km away that can barely be resolved is given by $$x=L\alpha=(1000)(1.29\times 10^{-3})=\color{red}{\bf 1.3}\;\rm m$$
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