Even if the lenses of our eyes functioned perfectly, our vision would still be l

Question

Even if the lenses of our eyes functioned perfectly, our vision would still be limited due to diffraction of light at the pupil. Using Rayleigh's criterion, what is the smallest separation between two pointlike objects that a person could clearly resolve at his near point of 19.0 cm with a pupil diameter of 2.00 mm ? Assume that the light has a wavelength of 492 nm . (To get a reasonable estimate without having to go through complicated calculations, we'll ignore the effect of the fluid in the eye.) Express your answer in micrometers to three significant figures.

Explanation / Answer

? = 1.22 ?/D

D = pupil diameter

Because ? is small > ? = d/L

d = L * ?

           = L * (1.22 ?/D)

           = 0.19 * (1.22*492e-9/(2e-3))

           = 0.0570 mm

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