What is "resolving power"

Resolution \Res`o*lu"tion\ (-l?"sh?n), n. [F. r['e]solution. L. resolutio a loosening, solution. See Resolve.]

1. The act, operation, or process of resolving. Specifically:

   1. The act of separating a compound into its elements or component parts.

   2. The act of analyzing a complex notion, or solving a vexed question or difficult problem.

      The unraveling and resolution of the difficulties that are met with in the execution of the design are the end of an action.
      --Dryden.

2. The state of being relaxed; relaxation. [Obs.]

3. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.

   Be it with resolution then to fight.
   --Shak.

4. That which is resolved or determined; a settled purpose; determination. Specifically: A formal expression of the opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly, adopted by vote; as, a legislative resolution; the resolutions of a public meeting.

5. The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought; conviction; assurance. [Obs.]

   Little resolution and certainty there is as touching the islands of Mauritania.
   --Holland.

6. (Math.) The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem.

7. (Med.) A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of a fever, a tumor, or the like.

8. (Mus.) The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord by the rising or falling of the note which makes the discord.

9. (Technical) The act of distinguishing between two close but not identical objects, or, when taking a measurement, bbetween two close values of the property measured.

10. (Technical) a measure of the ability to distinguish between two close but not identical values of the property being measured; it is expressed as the difference in values of a property necessary to make such a distinction; as, a microscope with a resolution of one micron; a thermometer with a resolution of one-tenth of a degree. Also called resolving power.

    Joint resolution. See under Joint, a.

    Resolution of a force or Resolution of a motion (Mech.), the separation of a single force or motion into two or more which have different directions, and, taken together, are an equivalent for the single one; -- the opposite of composition of a force.

    Resolution of a nebula (Astron.), the exhibition of it to the eye by a telescope of such power as to show it to be composed of small stars.

    Syn: Decision; analysis; separation; disentanglement; dissolution; resolvedness; resoluteness; firmness; constancy; perseverance; steadfastness; fortitude; boldness; purpose; resolve. See Decision.

n. a quantitative measure of the ability of an optical instrument to produce separable images

n. the ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images that are close together [syn: resolution]

Resolving power is the capacity of an instrument to resolve two points which are close together.

Specifically, resolving power may refer to:

• Angular resolution
• Spectral resolution
• Optical resolution
• Resolution (mass spectrometry)