Final answer:
The area that a satellite can capture in a single image during one pass over the Earth's surface is called the satellite's swath. This is different from resolution, which is measured in arcseconds and refers to the ability to distinguish fine details from space.
Step-by-step explanation:
The measurement of how much ground a satellite can image during one pass is commonly referred to as the satellite's swath or the ground swath. This term describes the width of the area that a satellite can capture in a single image as it passes over the Earth's surface. It's very different from the concept of resolution, which relates to the satellite's ability to distinguish fine details and is typically measured in arcseconds. High-resolution satellites, such as those used for spy or earth observation purposes, are capable of capturing images where small details can be separated, sometimes down to a few tens of centimeters while operating hundreds of kilometers above Earth. These satellites not only provide imagery with high resolution but also cover a significant area – their swath width – during each orbit pass.