Name one advantage of light microscopes over electron microscope.
The compound microscope is one of the light microscopes we are familiar with.We have seen this many times in school and on television.We have a general idea of what it is and how it works.
What about electron microscopes?You are definitely going to be curious as to what it can do if you have not heard of it.There are differences between a light microscope and an electron microscope.
The type of microscope that is used to operate is the main difference between light and electron microscopes.
Bright field microscopy is used in most types of light microscopes.It works by using a light source attached to the microscope to emit a focused ray of light that illuminates the specimen from below so that its magnified image can be seen through the eyepiece above.
Many different types of microscopes use this form of microscopy.The contrast of the magnified image depends on the light being used to illuminate the specimen.
An electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a specimen.It depends on the type of electron microscope.
The beam of electrons coming from an electron gun can either be transmitted through the specimen, similar to how a light microscope works, or it can be scanned by a microscope as it is hit by the electron beam.
Light and electron microscopes function differently when looking at a specimen because of the different techniques used.
Light microscopes are abundant and are used in many science classrooms because they are easy to use.The specimen can be loaded onto the stage from the microscope slide.
The light from the illuminer goes through the microscope's body tube and into the objective lens.
The microscope is a tad more complicated.Dehydration, staining, and gold plated must be done before the specimen is loaded into a vacuum chamber.
This is where the magic happens, as the specimen is bombarded by a controlled electron beam from the electron gun, then the emitted electrons are collected by the detector and a high-speed camera is generated.
It is important to take into account the maximum magnification level of the microscope, as it is the main function of it.
The magnification power of a light microscope can be as low as 40x and as high as 2000x.The maximum number of times that the specimen image can be magnified is usually achieved by using a compound lens system.
The objective lens of the microscope, as well as its eyepiece or ocular lens, which is also equipped with some level of magnification, produces this magnification.Higher magnification light microscopes use oil objective lens that have a high Refractive index to better focus the light and prevent distortion.
The highest magnification electron microscopes allow us to see the smallest details on any specimen that can't be seen under any other type of microscope.
The electron microscope is engineered with a strategically shaped magnetic field that creates its special electron optical lens systems, which act as the microscope's high powered magnifiers.
It is possible to see the details of a magnified image clearly with the resolution or resolving power of the microscope.
Light microscopes are capable of low to average resolution levels, just enough to be able to see some details on specimen as small as 200 nanometers in size.The microscope uses visible light, which has a wavelength of 400 to 700 nanometers.
The resolution of a light microscope can be increased by better focusing the light, widening the opening of the source, and using different types of light with a shorter wavelength.
An electron microscope has the highest resolving power out of all types of microscopes, with a capacity to distinguish details of a specimen down to the single nanometer.
Since electrons have a wavelength that is thousands of times shorter than visible light, this microscope can be used to look at minute specimen that are less than 300 nanometers in size.
It is important to understand which microscope is compatible with which specimen because not all microscopes can be used to view just one type of specimen.
Most light microscopes are used to view and analyze organic materials and living specimen such as small sections of various organisms, and different kinds of microorganisms.
It can be used to study various fluids such as blood and natural water.You can see details such as macromolecules and cell parts with a light microscope.
It is possible to look at almost any type of material, organic or otherwise, with electron microscopes, meaning they can be used to analyze plant and animal parts, liquid and gaseous substances, chemical compounds, various particulates and so on.
Most types of electron microscopes require the use of a vacuum chamber, which means that organic specimen cannot be studied while they are alive, and sample preparation must be done prior to use.
The magnification and resolution of the microscope are the most important features that determine the kind of detail and information that a microscope can provide.
Since light microscopes have an average magnification level and resolving power, there is a limit on what things can be seen through the microscope.
For larger objects, certain parts and sections may be analyzed, while for smaller materials, intricate details such as molecule, cellular structures, and even cell parts can be seen.
For electron microscopes, there is virtually no limit as to what can be imaged, which makes them highly valuable tools that can offer a host of important information on almost any specimen or material.
Structural makeup of chemical compounds can also be mapped, and individual crystals on particles of dust and rock can be seen.The capacity of electron microscopes to show each individual atom of any material is the most important.
The size and appearance of microscopes affects how they can be housed, as well as how portable they are.
Light microscopes are small, lightweight, and portable and can be lifted with one hand, although it is advisable to use both hands to support the microscope.
It can be placed in home office labs, kids study areas, science classrooms, field laboratories, and fixed research labs.When not in use, the microscopes can be moved around and stored.
An electron microscope can take up a whole room from floor to ceiling, and occupy a fairly wide expanse of space.These are mostly stationary devices that are built on site.
An electron microscope can't be housed in a small room.Most electron microscopes are underground due to the fact that the housing facility needs to be equipped with a secure system of magnetic field cancellation.
If you take the time to research the topic of light microscope vs electron microscope, you will find a lot of information ranging from how they differ in terms of features and capabilities, operating techniques and tools, and so on.
These two microscopes have a large disparity in terms of the specimen that the microscope can be used for and even basic but important details such as their appearance, housing requirements, and price.