Question

A surveillance satellite has a camera which detects 550 nm light and is equipped with a 35 cm diameter lens. If the satellite is at an altitude of 160 km, what is the minimum spacing between two objects on the ground that the camera can barely resolve (in m)?

Answer 1

0.3067 m

Step-by-step explanation:

Resolving power of a lens is given by the expression

R.P = 1.22λ / D

where λ is wavelength of light used, D is diameter of the lens

Substituting the data given

R.P in radian =

`(1.22*550*10^(-9))/(35*10^(-2))`

R P = 19.17 X 10⁻⁷ radian

If d be the minimum spacing between two objects on the ground that is resolvable by lens

`(d)/(160*10^3) =19.17*10^(-7)`

d = 0.3067 m