The electron microscope has a maximum magnification of 250 000X and a resolving power of about
mm. How many times better is the resolution of the electron microscope than the best light microscope? (Questions worth 0.1 each). Please round to the nearest tenth with your answer!!!!! Do NOT put it in scientific notation Hint: Light microscope has a resolving power of 0.0002 millimeters; electron microscope has a resolving power of
millimeters
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate how many times better the resolution of the electron microscope is compared to the light microscope, we use the formula:
Improvement factor = Resolving power of light microscope ÷ Resolving power of electron microscope
We are given:
- Resolving power of a light microscope = 0.0002 mm
- Resolving power of an electron microscope = 0.0000002 mm (or 2 × 10⁻⁷ mm)
Now, divide the two:
0.0002 ÷ 0.0000002 = 1000
So, the electron microscope is 1000.0 times better in resolution than the best light microscope.
Explanation
The resolving power of a microscope is a measure of its ability to distinguish between two points that are close together. The smaller the resolving power value, the better the resolution, meaning the microscope can distinguish finer details. In simple terms, a microscope with a lower resolving power number can see smaller objects more clearly.
Light microscopes, which use visible light to illuminate samples, are limited by the wavelength of light. The best light microscopes can typically resolve details as small as 0.0002 millimeters. This is sufficient for observing many types of cells and larger cell components, but not small viruses or detailed molecular structures.
Electron microscopes, on the other hand, use beams of electrons instead of light. Electrons have a much shorter wavelength than visible light, allowing for much finer resolution. The resolving power of an electron microscope is about 0.0000002 millimeters. This allows scientists to see details at the molecular or even atomic level, which is essential in fields like virology, nanotechnology, and materials science.
By dividing the resolving power of the light microscope by that of the electron microscope (0.0002 ÷ 0.0000002), we find that the electron microscope provides resolution that is 1000.0 times better. This comparison illustrates why electron microscopes are so valuable in research that requires extremely high detail.
Understanding resolution improvement helps explain the rapid advances in science and medicine that have been made possible by the ability to observe structures far beyond the reach of traditional light microscopes.
