Why are electron microscopes capable of revealing details much smaller that those seem through light microscope?

Answer 1

The resolving power of a microscope is a linear function of the wavelength -

An optical microscope's wavelength is that of light, and the electron microscope's - that of vibrating electrons. As the electron microscope's wavelength is about 100,000 times smaller than that of light, we get a much better resolving power.

Answer 2

Light Microscopes are limited by diffraction. As you move to look at smaller and smaller objects the diffraction of the light limits the resolution. Electron microscopes use electron beams which have a shorter de Broglie wavelenght than light. This alows you to focus more clearly at higher magnifications before diffraction becomes a problem

Answer 3

Because the method of magnification is different. Light microscopes use curved glass to magnify images but Electron microscopes bounce electrons off of something and then generate an image on a computer screen.

The disadvantage of electrons is you can not magnify living things because they must be coated in metal for the microscope to work.

Answer 4

Electron microscopes are capable of much higher magnifications because elecrons have a much shorter wavelength than light photons (about 100,000 times shorter !) - enablng much finer detail to be revealed.

Answer 5

The wavelength of the electron beam is considerable smaller than the wavelegth of the visible light.

Answer 6

Because power of magnification is limited by the wavelength of light and electrons have wavelengths about 100,000 times shorter than visible light.

Answer 7

Electron Microsocpes use beams of electron rather than light

Answer 8

Because the electron beam has a wavelength lower than visible light.

Answer 9

Because electron microscopes 'see' electrons, which the human eye cannot see even through a microscope.