Question

What does resolution define in an optical system?

1) The capacity to distinguish between two adjacent objects or points
2) The ability to focus light on a specific point
3) The distance between the lens and the image formed
4) The size of the lens used

Answer 1

Resolution in an optical system refers to the ability to distinguish between two adjacent points or objects, which is related to the clarity of image detail.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an optical system, resolution defines the capacity to distinguish between two adjacent objects or points. Simply put, it is the minimum distance between objects needed to be able to see them as separate entities. High-resolution implies that the system can distinguish smaller features, allowing for a sharper and more detailed image. The Rayleigh criterion gives a quantitative measure for resolution, which states that resolution is possible when the minimum angular separation between two point objects meets a certain threshold, typically based on the wavelength of light used in the system and the numerical aperture of the lens.