Topic 2B - Electron Microscopy

Question 1

The maximum resolution of a typical electron microscope is…

Answer 1

1 nm (200x better than a light microscope)

Question 2

How does electron microscopy improve resolution compared to light microscopy?

Answer 2

Altered wavelength: e- waves are shorter than light waves

Question 3

Instead of glass as seen in a light microscope, what feature of an electron microscope focusses charged particles?

Answer 3

Magnetic coils

Question 4

Why do electron microscopes function in a vacuum?

Answer 4

Because if electrons interacted with air molecules this would alter resolution

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of using an electron microscope?

Answer 5

Preparation of specimen is very complex