Microscope Magnification: Electron vs Compound Light Microscopes
Which type of microscope, between electron microscopes and compound light microscopes, is known for providing higher magnification when observing specimens?
a. Electron Microscopes
b. Compound Light Microscopes
c. Both have similar magnification capabilities
d. It depends on the specific application
Final answer: Electron microscopes
Answer
Electron microscopes provide higher magnification and more detailed observation of specimens than compound light microscopes, due to the use of a beam of electrons which allows for higher resolving power.
Electron microscopes provide higher magnification compared to compound light microscopes. When we talk about viewing specimens in great detail, electron microscopes use a beam of electrons, which allows for higher magnification and more detailed observation of specimens. Moreover, electron microscopes possess a higher resolving power, due to the shorter wavelengths of electrons compared to the photons used in light microscopy.
An electron microscope can magnify up to 50 million times, enabling the determination of the positions of individual atoms within materials. However, this technology requires vacuum chambers for the electrons to proceed unheeded, and the specimen preparation process inevitably kills the specimen. Therefore, electron microscopes cannot view living cells.