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The smallest particle that can be seen with a light microscope is about 0. 2 microns. If an object is smaller than that, the light's wavelength cannot traverse it causing it to fall out of the visible spectrum.

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State how an electron microscope differs from a light microscope?

An electron microscope bombards its target with electrons, while a traditional microscope uses visible light. Electrons can be resolved at considerably higher magnifications that visible light (due to their smaller wavelength).


What is the smallest object that can be resolved in a light microscope measures?

The very best optical oil immersion microscopes can resolve objects about 0.5 micron (1/2000 of mm) across or about 1000X magnification. If you have very good eyes and are very skilled at using the microscope you may be able to see smaller objects. In theory microscopes are limited in resolution to 1/2 the wave length of the radiation used to light it up. So for visible light that is 0.2-0.35 microns.


Why can't viruses be seen with a light microscope?

Viruses are too small to be seen with a light microscope because they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light. This means that light cannot pass through them or be reflected off of them, making them invisible under a light microscope.


What type of energy does the compound microscope use?

A compound microscope typically uses light energy, specifically visible light, to illuminate the sample being observed. This light passes through the lenses of the microscope to magnify and visualize the specimen.


What color of light will have the smallest wavelength?

The color with the smallest (or as scientist term it, the shortest) wavelength is the color violet, also known as purple.

Related Questions

What is the smallest structures visible with the light microscope are the?

The smallest structures visible with a light microscope are typically around 200 nanometers in size. This includes some organelles like mitochondria and small bacteria. Anything smaller would require an electron microscope for visualization.


Why is specimen smaller than200mm not visible with a light microscope?

Because the smallest wavelength of visible light we can see is around 400 nm. Something 200 nm would need an electron microscope to be seen.


What are the smallest visible by an ordinary microscope?

The smallest objects visible by an ordinary light microscope are typically around 200 nanometers in size. Objects smaller than this, such as viruses and individual molecules, require more powerful microscopes like electron microscopes.


What is the smallest diameter of a cell that can still be resolved by the light microscope?

The smallest diameter of a cell that can be resolved by a light microscope is typically around 0.2 micrometers, which is the limit of resolution due to the wavelength of visible light. Structures that are smaller than this limit will appear blurry or indistinct under a light microscope.


What is the smallest structure visible with the light microscope?

The smallest structure visible with a light microscope is around 200 nanometers, which is the limit of resolution for light microscopes. This means that structures smaller than 200 nanometers cannot be resolved with a standard light microscope.


What is the smallest thing visible under a microscope?

The smallest thing visible under a light microscope is around 200 nanometers, but this can vary depending on the quality of the microscope and the technique used. To view objects smaller than 200 nanometers, electron microscopes are typically used.


What microscope uses visible light?

A compound light microscope uses visible light to illuminate and magnify samples. This type of microscope is commonly used in laboratories and educational settings for studying biological specimens and other transparent samples.


How does an electron microscope differs from a light microscope?

The light microscope use the visible light; the electron microscope use an electrons beam.


Is cytoplasm visible with a light microscope?

The cytoplasm is somewhat clear when looking through a light microscope. However you can see where the cytoplasm is. You can see cell walls and cell membranes through a light microscope, the spaces in between these lines is cytoplasm.


Types of microorganisms can be seen in a light microscope?

Common types of microorganisms that can be seen under a light microscope include bacteria, yeast, algae, and protozoa. These microorganisms are relatively larger and can be observed with a brightfield microscope at higher magnifications. Viruses, which are much smaller, typically require an electron microscope for visualization.


What is another name for ordinary microscope?

A common term for an ordinary microscope is a light microscope, which uses visible light to illuminate and magnify specimens for observation.


What organelle in a cheek cell are not visible under a light microscope?

The organelles in a cheek cell that are not visible under a light microscope are the ribosomes. These organelles are responsible for protein synthesis.