Question
Physics Question on Ray optics and optical instruments
The limit of resolution of an optical instrument arises on account of
A
reflection
B
diffraction
C
polarization
D
interference
Answer
diffraction
Explanation
Solution
According to ray optics, the image of a point object formed by an ideal lens is a point only. However, because of the diffraction effects, the image of a single point in the object formed by a circular lens will actually be a bright central circular region surrounded by concentric dark and light rings. The minimum distance between these two rings which can just be seen as separate by the optical instrument is called the limit of resolution.