Microscope Resolving Power – Rankers Physics

Miscellaneous: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): Resolving power of a microscope is different for different colours of illuminating light. Reason (R): Resolving power of a microscope is directly proportional to the wavelength of illuminating light.  
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Miscellaneous. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

The resolving power (RP) of a microscope is given by \(RP = \frac{2NA}{1.22\lambda}\), where \(NA\) is the numerical aperture and \(\lambda\) is the wavelength. Since RP is inversely proportional to \(\lambda\), it will be different for different colours (different wavelengths). Reason (R) states direct proportionality, which is false.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Practice Questions

Explore conceptually related problems to test your knowledge.

1. Two periodic waves of intensities $I_1$ and $I_2$ pass through a region at the same time in the same direction. The sum of the maximum and minimum intensities is: (2008)
2. Young's double slit experiment is first performed in air and then in a medium other than air. It is found that $8^{th}$ bright fringe in the medium lies where $5^{th}$ dark fringe lies in air. The refractive index of the medium is nearly: (2017-Delhi)
3. Assertion (A): Incoherent sources do not produce an interference pattern. Reason (R): Light from two coherent sources that are not in phase does not produce an interference pattern.  
4. Assertion (A): Diffraction is a sure indication of wave nature. Reason (R): Only transverse waves can be diffracted.  
5. If a plane wave front is incident on a convex lens then the emerging wavefront will be