Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 25 - Optical Instruments - General Problems - Page 743: 86

Answer

Yes

Work Step by Step

Find the angular resolution using equation 25–7. $$\theta=\frac{1.22\lambda}{D}$$ The smallest feature resolvable, L, is that angle multiplied by the distance to the Earth from Mars, r. $$L=r \theta=\frac{1.22 r \lambda}{D}$$ $$=1.22 \frac{(8\times10^{10}m)(550\times10^{-9}m)}{0.005m}$$ $$ = 1.07\times10^7m$$ This is considerably less than the distance between the Earth and its moon, so a person on Mars would be able to resolve the Earth and its moon as separate objects without using a telescope.
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