Question

Green light has a shorter wavelength than orange light. In a 5-inch telescope, green light will:

a- reduce the effects of atmospheric turbulence.
b- come to the same exact focus as orange light.
c- provide worse angular resolution than orange light.
d- provide better angular resolution than orange light.
e- allow dimmer stars to be observed.

Answer 1

Green light, having a shorter wavelength than orange light, will provide better angular resolution in a telescope, allowing astronomers to distinguish finer details.

Step-by-step explanation:

Green light has a shorter wavelength compared to orange light. According to the principles of optics, shorter wavelengths of light provide better angular resolution because the ability to distinguish between two points in a telescope's view is inversely related to the wavelength of the light being observed. In this context, green light will provide better angular resolution than orange light because its shorter wavelength allows for closer objects to be differentiated more clearly. This is particularly useful in astronomy for observing fine details in the celestial objects, a concept that is fundamental to the field.

Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: d- provide better angular resolution than orange light.