What is the difference between electron microscopes and light microscopes

The study of the organisms under the microscope is called Microscopy. It is also called a compound microscope. A light microscope is an optical microscope, which uses a ray of light to view the image where a condenser collects the light and diverges it to the specimen.

It has comparatively a low-resolution and magnification power than the electron microscope, which is about 0. It is an optical microscope, which uses a beam of an accelerated electron from the source of heated tungsten filament that transmits the electron to the specimen. It results in a high-resolution image of 0. It has several elements which are as follows:. So finally, we have discussed the difference in properties, structure and components of both the light and electron microscope.

Therefore, we can conclude that both the light and e — microscope works on the different principles, in which one uses a light source, and the other uses the electron to form the image. The construction and operation of both the microscopes are different, where a light microscope is easy to handle, and the electron microscope requires technical skills to operate.

Your email address will not be published. Skip to content. A light microscope is a tool used to study microbodies such as bacteria, fungus, etc. Also, it enables examination of small objects which are not visible through naked eyes. The light microscope is also known as an optical microscope.

It is an instrument that uses light rays and lenses to enlarge images of microorganisms and other small entities. One has to place the object on a given platform and view the microbe through the eyepieces. Optical ones are of two types — simple and compound microscopes. The simple one utilises the visual capacity of single or multiple lenses to enlarge objects. In the case of the compound ones, one lens is placed close to the substance for viewing it. On the other hand, an electron microscope is an instrument that uses electron beams to capture an image and enlarge it.

It is an advanced tool that enables a person to visualise smaller entities in high resolution. Through it, you can magnify things in nanometres and scrutinise the objects carefully. Though the initial work of both the tools is to magnify objects, there is a difference between light and electron microscope.

Read on to understand the distinction of these two tools in detail! The difference between light and electron microscope is elucidated here as follows:. Light Microscope. Electron Microscope. Uses visible light to magnify objects. Utilises electron beams to magnify tiny objects.

Low enlargement of objects than its electron counterpart. An advanced tool for magnification offering high resolution. The optical microscope has a low-resolution of approximately 0. The human eye can view a real image directly by looking into the eyepiece of the microscope.

An image is then projected onto the retina of the eye. An image is formed by projecting a focussed image of the specimen onto a surface coated with electron-sensitive compounds.

It may be labelled "fluorescent screen" on simple diagrams. Reported values vary from a typical 0. Note: The figures used in the equations are indicated in red above. Notice the other values that could be used for this type of very general comparison. Above: Table comparing the physics of light vs electron microscopes. Due to constraints imposed by the ways in which different types of microscopes produce images, some microscopes can be used in certain ways that others cannot.

For example, it is not possible to observe individual molecules using a light microscope or to watch living processes happen using an electron microscope. Can watch living processes take place e. Specimen must be thin but can adjust focus to different positions heights within thin specimen on glass slide. Image plane approx "flat" 2D but, as above, can adjust focus through specimen. Harsher preparation procedures incl. Above: Table comparing use of light vs electron microscopes.

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