Collecting power
What Collecting power means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Collecting power
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Collecting power in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
Proportional to the area of the objective, so it is proportional to D², and a larger diameter gathers more radiation per second.
Depends on aperture area, so a larger dish or mirror gathers more radiation per second and can detect fainter sources.
Topics that use Collecting power
- Advantages of large diameter telescopes (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Single dish radio telescopes, I-R, U-V and X-ray telescopes (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Astronomical calculations
- Collecting power and aperture area
- Diffraction and resolution
- Quantum efficiency
- Radian
- Rayleigh criterion
- Resolution
- Resolving power
Using Collecting power in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Physics questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge