Final answer:
The maximum magnification for a telescope using two lenses from 2.0 cm, 4.0 cm, 8.0 cm, and 16.0 cm focal lengths is 8 times, achieved by using the 16.0 cm lens as the objective and the 2.0 cm lens as the eyepiece.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum magnification a telescope can achieve using two lenses is determined by the focal lengths of those lenses. In telescopes, magnification (M) is given by the ratio of the focal length of the objective lens (fo) to the focal length of the eyepiece lens (fe), M = fo / fe.
Therefore, to achieve the maximum magnification, you would use the lens with the longest focal length for the objective and the lens with the shortest focal length for the eyepiece.
Given the available lenses of focal lengths 2.0 cm, 4.0 cm, 8.0 cm, and 16.0 cm, for maximum magnification, select the 16.0 cm focal length as the objective and the 2.0 cm focal length as the eyepiece.
This combination will give you the maximum magnification, calculated as:
M = fo / fe
= 16.0 cm / 2.0 cm
= 8
Thus, the maximum magnification that can be achieved with these lenses is 8 times.