_______________________

Name:
_
Lenses and optical
telescopes _______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 306 min.

Marks: 209 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 12
Q1.
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles includes an astronomical refracting telescope
(Griffith telescope) with an objective lens of diameter 305 mm and focal length 5.03 m

(a) Calculate the wavelength of light for which the Griffith telescope has a minimum
angular resolution of 1.8 × 10–6 rad

wavelength = ____________________ m
(2)

(b) The Griffith telescope is used to observe two point objects which subtend an angle
of 1.8 × 10–6 rad at the unaided eye.

The typical human eye has a minimum angular resolution of approximately 3.2 × 10–
4
rad

Calculate the focal length of the eyepiece lens so that an observer can just resolve
the two objects when observing them through the Griffith telescope.

focal length = ____________________ m

(3)

(c) The asteroid Apophis has a diameter of 325 m

It has been calculated that, in 2029, its distance of closest approach to the Earth’s
surface will be 3.0 × 104 km

The Griffith telescope may be used to view Apophis using the eyepiece calculated in
question (b)

Deduce whether this telescope is suitable to obtain a detailed view of Apophis.

Support your answer with a calculation.

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Page 2 of 12
 ___________________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
Draw the ray diagram for a Cassegrain telescope. Your diagram should show the paths of
two rays, initially parallel to the principal axis, as far as the eyepiece.

(Total 2 marks)

Q3.
The Kielder Observatory in Northumberland includes two optical telescopes attached to
the same mount, so that they can be used to view the same object.
Some of the properties of these telescopes are summarised in the table.

Objective
Telescope Type
diameter/mm

A refractor 70

B refractor 400

(a) The telescopes are used to view the same object.

Suggest which telescope in the table produces the brighter image.

Support your answer with a suitable calculation.

Page 3 of 12
 ___________________________________________________________________

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(3)

(b) The minimum angular resolution of a telescope can be determined using the
Rayleigh criterion.

Explain what is meant by the Rayleigh criterion.

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(2)

(c) Discuss which of the two telescopes in the table would be better at resolving the
images of two objects that are close together.

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(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q4.
(a) Draw a ray diagram for an astronomical refracting telescope in normal adjustment.
Your diagram should show the paths of three non−axial rays through both lenses.

Label the principal foci of the two lenses.

Page 4 of 12
 (2)

(b) Most modern optical observatories make use of reflecting telescopes rather than
refracting telescopes.

Discuss the principal optical advantages of reflecting telescopes.

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(4)

(c) The Greek astronomer Hipparcos used naked-eye observations to develop a scale
for comparing the apparent magnitude of stars.

Explain what is meant by apparent magnitude and describe the main features of the
Hipparcos scale.

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Page 5 of 12
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(6)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 6 of 12
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) D = 0.305 m ✔

Use of θ = λ / D

To give λ = 1.8 × 10–6 × 0.305

= 5.5 × 10–7 m ✔
The first mark is for the correct D.
The second mark is for the final answer.
Allow 1 max for one POT error.
Allow ecf for incorrect D unless 5.03 m used.
Award full credit if factor of 1.22 included (to give 4.5 × 10–7
m).
1
1

(b) M = 3.2 × 10–4 / 1.8 × 10–6✔

=178

Use of M = fo/fe to give

fe = fo/M = 5.03/178 ✔

= 0.028 m ✔
The first mark is for evidence of use of angular magnification
equation.
The second mark is for evidence of the use of the
magnification focal lengths equation.
The third is for the final answer. Do not credit 0.03.
Allow ecf for M.
Allow 2 max for one POT error.
1
1
1

(c) Either

Telescope can resolve objects down to 1.8 × 10–6 rad

At 3.0 × 104 km, this angle is subtended by an object of size 3.0 × 104 km × 1.8 × 10–
6
rad = 54 m ✔

This is 54/325 = 1/6th size of asteroid ✔

would not be suitable for viewing detail ✔

OR

Angular size of asteroid = 325/3 × 107 = 1.1 × 10–5 ✔

Page 7 of 12
 As 1.1 × 10–5 > 1.8 × 10–6 asteroid can be seen / 1.1 × 10–5 / 1.8 × 10–6 6 times
minimum angular resolution ✔

Too small for detail to be seen ✔

The first mark is for the calculation.
The second mark is for the comparison. Allow ecf. The
angular resolution of the telescope should be quoted.
The third mark is for reaching the judgement.
This mark cannot be given if simple statement that asteroid
can be seen.
Condone correct use of sin and tan.
Full credit can also be given if they use magnification and
compare angular size with the resolution of the eye.
1
2
[8]

Q2.
Diagram of Cassegrain telescope with

Both mirrors correct ✔

The first mark is for a concave primary mirror and convex
secondary.
Condone lack of shading. No gap needed in primary.
Primary should not look like two mirrors
Condone flat secondary if labelled convex. Do not condone
concave secondary
1

Two rays correct. ✔

The second mark is for the two rays, initially parallel to the
principal axis, reflecting from the primary mirror to the
secondary, and then crossing (as they pass through the
primary).
Ignore arrows on rays. No lens needed, but ignore rays after
lens if drawn.
Poorly drawn rays eg curved, loses mark.
1
[2]

Q3.
(a) B brighter with support (eg diameter of B bigger) ✔

(The brightness of the image is determined by the collecting

power and) collecting power related to D2 or area ✔

Calculation of areas or d2 ✔
Allow ‘reflecting telescope’ B
An unsupported answer gains no marks
Ignore references to resolving power or unit W
1

Page 8 of 12
 (b) Two objects will just be resolved when the first
minimum/edge of the airy disc in the diffraction pattern of one
image ✔
Correct diagrams can gain both marks
1

Coincides with central maximum/centre of the airy disc of the

other. ✔
Ignore references to formula
1

(c) B is better because it has a larger diameter ✔

Minimum angular separation/angular resolution depends on

1/D
No mark awarded for an unsupported answer
The first is for arguing that B is better due to larger diameter
The second mark is for identifying the relationship between
angular resolution and diameter
Correct calculations can gain both marks, using any
wavelength
Max 2
[7]

Q4.
(a) Principal axis drawn and principal foci shown to coincide on it ✔

three non-axial rays drawn correctly with final virtual image shown ✔
PA needs to be drawn
2

(b) Mirrors do not suffer from chromatic aberration, ✔

Mirrors can be larger and therefore have greater collecting powers ✔

Mirrors can be larger and therefore have smaller minimum angular resolution ✔

Parabolic mirrors with axial rays do not suffer from spherical aberration ✔
4

(c) The mark scheme gives some guidance as to what statements are expected to
be seen in a 1 or 2 mark (L1), 3 or 4 mark (L2) and 5 or 6 mark (L3) answer.
Guidance provided in section 3.10 of the Mark Scheme Instructions document
should be used to assist marking this question.

L3 clear description of The student presents

5−6 what is meant by relevant information
marks apparent magnitude, coherently, employing
with discussion of structure, style and
logarithmic scale; sp&g to render
explanation of meaning clear. The text
Hipparcos scale in is legible.
terms of visibility of
stars

Page 9 of 12
 L2 Either apparent The student presents
3−4 magnitude or relevant information
marks Hipparcos scale and in a way which
discussed in detail, with assists the
other not discussed communication of
fully or containing meaning. The text is
errors legible. Sp&g are
sufficiently accurate not
to obscure meaning.

L1 Either one discussed The student presents

1−2 fully and other not at some relevant
marks all, or both discussed information in a simple
with some errors. form. The text is usually
legible. Sp&g allow
meaning to be derived
although errors are
sometimes obstructive.

0 marks Little or no discussion The student’s

of relevant content. presentation, spelling,
punctuation and
grammar seriously
obstruct understanding.

(d) The following statements could be present

• apparent magnitude is based on how bright a star
appears on the Earth
• this depends on how bright a star actually is and how
far away it is
• larger values of apparent magnitude are given to
dimmer stars
• the difference of 1 on the apparent magnitude scale is
associated with a difference in brightness of a factor of
2.51.

The Hipparcos scale assumed the brightest stars have a magnitude of 1 and the
dimmest a magnitude of 6.
Magnitude 1 stars are 100 times brighter than magnitude 6 stars.

Applying apparent magnitude to the Hipparcos scale means that some stars (the
brightest) have a negative apparent magnitude.
6
[12]

Page 10 of 12
Examiner reports

Q1.
This question required students to demonstrate an understanding of angular magnification
and resolving power in a particular context.

(a) This was answered well by the vast majority of students, with 82.9% gaining both
marks. Those who did not gain both marks usually confused D and f, made a power
of ten error, or rearranged their equation incorrectly.

(b) This question proved to be slightly more demanding. Although it can be seen as a
two-step calculation, many students chose to combine the equations to provide the
answer in one go. Students should always be encouraged to set out their answers
clearly as marks can often be awarded for evidence of correct working even if the
their final answer is incorrect. 62.4% of students gained all three marks.

(c) This question required students to make a judgement to demonstrate their

understanding of the Rayleigh criterion as a limit. Many answers were seen that
compared the angular size of the asteroid with the resolution of the telescope
correctly, but then simply stated that the asteroid could be seen without any
comment about the level of detail. Students who calculated the separation of objects
that could be just resolved at the distance of the asteroid made better progress, but
an answer that went on to suggest that this would not allow detail to be seen were
rare. Only 3% of students scored all three marks; the proportion failing to gain even
a single mark was 43.6%. Surprisingly, 9.4% of students made no attempt at all at
this question.

Q2.
Much of the work on ray diagrams has been removed from the specification but the two
main types of telescope remain. Most students were able to draw this ray diagram without
difficulty. However, a large number of refracting telescopes were seen. Other issues
included drawing a convex or flat secondary mirror, or drawing the primary as two curves
so they look like two mirrors, rather one continuous curve, with or without a gap. Problems
with the rays tended to be related to where they cross with several students drawing them
so they crossed before the secondary mirror rather than after, or drawing them so that
they meet at the eyepiece.

Q3.
This question required students to compare the properties of two different telescopes.
There was evidence of confusion between collecting power and resolving power.

(a) Many students correctly chose the correct answer, but failed to explain why. It
should be noted that, in a simple choice like this, any unsupported answer does not
gain credit. Other common errors included using the resolving power or calculating
the area using the equation for a sphere. A number of students incorrectly
maintained that A was the correct answer as the image would be smaller and
therefore the light from it would be concentrated into a smaller area. Students had a
choice of approaches regarding the calculation, an example of the expectation that
students will be able to make a judgement about their approach, rather than be
directed to perform a specific calculation.

(b) This question proved to be significantly more demanding with few students showing
anything other than a rudimentary knowledge of the Rayleigh criteria. Specifically,

Page 11 of 12
 many students simply quoted the equation or talked in general terms about seeing
two objects close together. Those that made more progress in terms of the
diffraction patterns often failed to gain marks due to lack of clarity, mentioning a
maximum (rather than the central maximum) or suggesting that the two central
maxima need to be fully separated. For example those that mentioned the Airy disc
needed to make it clear that the centre and edge of the discs are significant. Some
good answers were seen that made use of a graph of intensity against angle for the
two sources.

(c) A common error that prevented students from getting both marks was to make
general statements (bigger diameter means the resolving power is better), rather
than more specifically referring to the correct equation or the inverse relationship. It
was pleasing to note how many students dealt with the fact that a smaller angle is
better without problem.

Page 12 of 12