1.1.

5 Define resolution and magnification and

explain the differences between these terms,
with reference to light microscopy and electron microscopy

1.Magnification:
 is the linear enlargement of the image of an object/
 is the number of times larger
an image
compared with
the real size of the object

2.Magnification = Size of image

Actual size of object

3.
4.Magnification is dependent on
the type of lenses ( glass/electromagnet)
used by the microscope.

5.Therefore magnification can be increased

by changing the lens

6. Resolution :
 is the ability to see details/
 Ability to distinguish two points/objects
which are close to each other /
 the smallest distance between two objects
at which they can be seen to be separate

7.The smaller the objects that can be distinguished,

the higher the resolution

8.Resolution is inversely proportional

 to the wavelength (λ) of radiation
( visible light/uv light/electron wave)
used to view in the microscope

9.Smaller the wavelength higher the resolution

10.The resolution of an image is limited by

the wavelength of radiation used to view the sample

11.This is because when objects in the specimen are much smaller

than the wavelength of the radiation being used,
they do not interrupt the waves,and
so they are not detected.
12.Particles /membranes in cells can be seen as separate object
only if they are further apart than half the wavelength
of the beam of electrons used

 The limit of resolution = ½λ

Why an electron microscope has a higher resolution than the
light microscope ?

1.It is because electron microscope uses

electron wave/beams as
a source of radiation whereas
light microscope uses visible light

2.Sinceλelectronwave ( 1nm ) <<λlight (400nm)

That is : Re/m = 0.5nm whereas Rl/m = 200nm

3.This means that ,for e/m,

any two points /objects
closer then 0.5nm cannot be distinguished as separate.
Hence electron microscope has higher resolution
than the light microscope

4.Using a microscope with a more powerful magnification

will NOT increase the resolution any further.

5.It will only increase the size of the image ,but

object closer than 200nm will still only seen as one point

6.Therefore resolution of a microscope

cannot be increased by changing the lens

7.Points that cannot be separated/resolved appears as one point.

8.If the magnification of microscope exceeds the limit of

resolution any further increase in magnification will not give any
more details
Remember :
Resolution = Details
Magnification = Size
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