If Superman really had x-ray vision at 0.12 nm wavelength and a 4.1 mm pupil diameter, at what maximum altitude could he distinguish villains from heroes, assuming that he needs to resolve points separated by 5.4 cm to do this?

Maximum altitude to see(L) =  1.47 × 10⁶ m (Approx)

Explanation:

Given:

wavelength (λ) = 0.12 nm = 0.12 × 10⁻⁹ m

Pupil Diameter (d) = 4.1 mm = 4 × 10⁻³ m

Separation distance (D) = 5.4 cm = 0.054 m

Find:

Maximum altitude to see(L)

Computation:

Resolving power = 1.22(λ / d)

D / L = 1.22(λ / d)

0.054 / L = 1.22 [(0.12 × 10⁻⁹) / (4 × 10⁻³ m)]

0.054 / L = 1.22 [0.03 × 10⁻⁶]

L = 0.054 / 1.22 [0.03 × 10⁻⁶]

L = 0.054 / [0.0366 × 10⁻⁶]

L = 1.47 × 10⁶

Maximum altitude to see(L) =  1.47 × 10⁶ m (Approx)

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hi there!

out of the two, (b) precision would be more reasonable.   however, both a and b could be pretty reasonable.

-awesomerepublic   : )