Yellow light of wavelength 570 nm is used to view an object under a microscope.

Question

Yellow light of wavelength 570 nm is used to view an object under a microscope. The objective lens diameter is 7.55 mm.

(a) What is the limiting angle of resolution?
µrad

(b) Suppose it is possible to use visible light of any wavelength. What color should you choose to give the smallest possible angle of resolution, and what is this angle?

(c) Suppose water fills the space between the object and the objective. What effect does this change have on the resolving power when 570-nm light is used?

color ---Select--- red (650) orange (590 nm) yellow (570 nm) green (510 nm) blue (475 nm) indigo (445 nm) violet (400 nm) angle µrad

Explanation / Answer

a)

here by using the formula

theta(min) = 1.22 (lambda / D)

theta(min) = 1.22 (( 570 * 10^-9) / (7.55 * 10^-3))

theta(min) = 92.1 * 10^-6 rad

b)

smallest visible wavelength(violet) at 400 nm

theta(min) = (1.22 * 400 * 10^-9 )/ (7.55 * 10^-3)

theta(min) = 64.6 urad

c)

when water fills the space

theta(min) = 1.22 * lambda / D * n(water)

theta(min) = 1.22 * 570 * 10^-9 / (7.55 * 10^-3 * 1.33)

theta(min) = 69.2 urad

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse Y
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.