Microscopes

Question 1

Explain the difference between optical and electron microscopes

Answer 1

• Optical microscopes use light and lenses, electron microscopes use electrons and magnets.
• Electron microscopes need a vacuum so specimens must be dead.
• Electron microscopes have a much higher magnification and better resolution

Question 2

What is magnification?

Answer 2

How much larger the image appears than the actual object

Question 3

What is resolution?

Answer 3

The ability to tell two spots apart rather than one

Question 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of SEM to TEM?

Answer 4

Advantages:
Can use bigger samples, can get 3D image and surface structure images.
Disadvantages:
Cannot see inside cells, doesn’t have as good resolution.

Question 5

What is the equation for calculating magnification?

Answer 5

Magnification = Imagine size/Actual size