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1) The limit to the eye\'s acuity is actually related to diffraction by the pupi

ID: 1301934 • Letter: 1

Question

1) The limit to the eye's acuity is actually related to diffraction by the pupil. What is the angle between two just-resolvable points of light for a 3.75 mm diameter pupil, assuming the average wavelength of 554 nm?

Answer in degrees

2)Take your result to be the practical limit for the eye. What is the greatest possible distance a car can be from you if you can resolve its two headlights, given that they are 1.60 m apart?

Answer in m

3) What is the distance between two just- resolvable points held at an arm's l;ength (0.700m) from your eye?

Answer in m

Explanation / Answer

1) rayleigh criterion

sin theta = 1.22 lambda/D

theta = arcsin(1.22*554.0E-9/3.75E-3)=0.01033 degrees

2) tan theta = y/L

L = 1.6/tan(0.01033 degrees)=8874 m

3) y = L tan theta = 0.7*tan(0.01033 degrees)= 1.26E-4 m