Physics Technology Update (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32190-308-0
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-308-2

Chapter 28 - Physical Optics: Interference and Diffraction - Problems and Conceptual Exercises - Page 1007: 54

Answer

blue light

Work Step by Step

We know that $\theta_{min}=1.22\frac{\lambda}{D}$. This equation shows that the angular separation is directly proportional to the wavelength. This shows that with an increase in wavelength, the angle of separation increases and as a result, the resolution of the light decreases. Thus, we will have a greater resolution for the smaller wavelengths than the larger wavelengths and hence blue light has the greater resolution.
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