Resolution — Science definition
Defined in 4 courses:
- The smallest change a measuring instrument can distinguish under its method. (Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems)
- The smallest separation at which two points still appear as two; about 200 nanometres for a light microscope, and the real limit on what you can see. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- The smallest distance between two points at which they can still be told apart as separate — the true limit on the detail an instrument can reveal. (Life Science: Biology)
- Smallest increment an instrument can distinguish. (Physics & Environmental Science)
Where it is taught
- Metric Measurement, Units & Uncertainty — Inquiry, Measurement & Models, Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems, Grade 6
- Measurements, Microscopes & Scale — Scientific Inquiry & Diversity of Life, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Cell Theory & the Discovery of Cells — Cells, Membranes & Exchange, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
- Physics Measurements, Graphs & Uncertainty — Measurement & Vector Foundations, Physics & Environmental Science, Grade 12
In use
What his single tiny bead gave him was resolution: the ability to show two close things as two things rather than one blur.
Measurements, Microscopes & Scale
Magnification is simply how much bigger an image looks; resolution is how much genuine detail you can separate.
Cell Theory & the Discovery of Cells
Measurements have uncertainty from resolution, calibration, and method.
Physics Measurements, Graphs & Uncertainty
Questions using resolution
Problem 1
Which statement correctly uses resolution in Metric Measurement, Units & Uncertainty?
- One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
- A measurement without a unit is fully interpretable.
- Writing more digits automatically improves measurement quality.
- resolution: The smallest change a measuring instrument can distinguish under its method.
Answer and explanation
resolution: The smallest change a measuring instrument can distinguish under its method.
The smallest change a measuring instrument can distinguish under its method. The lengths are 6.5 cm and 6.4 cm, or 65 mm and 64 mm. The 1 mm difference is observed reading variation; the values do not establish a length exact to many decimal places. Check alignment and use the ruler’s scale consistently.
Taught alongside
- unit
- evidence
- system boundary
- uncertainty
- magnification
- micrometer
- scale bar
- calibration
- cell
- cell theory
- spontaneous generation
- organism
- dimension
- residual