Final answer:
The question pertains to the physics concept of light diffraction and human visual acuity, specifically the maximum distance at which car headlights 1.3 m apart can be resolved, using the pupil diameter and the Rayleigh criterion to determine this value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves the physics concept of light diffraction and how the human eye resolves two separate points of light, such as car headlights. The ability to resolve two points is influenced by the Rayleigh criterion, which states that for two points to be resolvable, the central diffraction peak of one image must coincide with the first minimum of the diffraction pattern of another. Hence, the angle θ is calculated using the formula θ = 1.22 λ/D where λ is the wavelength of light and D is the diameter of the pupil.
To find the maximum distance at which a person can resolve two headlights that are 1.3 m apart, we apply the small angle approximation where d = Lθ, with L being the distance from the observer to the headlights. Substituting the given values, including an average wavelength for visible light (550 nm = 550 x 10-9 m), we can solve for L.
Example: If a person's pupil diameter is 3.00 mm, the angle θ calculated would then give us the greatest distance L by rearranging the formula to L = d/θ.