Why is the maximum resolution and magnification of a light microscope less than the electron microscope?
Because light microscope involes mirrors to reflect light rays to gt an enlarged image however electron microspe has magnets and and uses electron beams so that can give u detailed magnification..i hope it helps u..fo further clarification..log in to wikipedia..
The maximum resolution and magnification of a light microscope are less than that of an electron microscope due to the fundamental principles and limitations of each type of microscope.
A light microscope uses visible light to illuminate the specimen and magnify it using lenses. Light waves have a limited ability to resolve fine details due to their relatively large wavelength, which ranges from around 400 to 700 nanometers. The resolution of a microscope refers to its ability to distinguish two closely spaced points as separate entities. According to the diffraction limit of light, the resolution of a light microscope is ultimately limited to about half the wavelength of light being used. Therefore, the maximum resolution of a light microscope is typically around 200-300 nanometers.
In contrast, an electron microscope uses a beam of electrons instead of light to visualize the specimen. Electrons have a much smaller wavelength compared to photons, which allows for much higher resolution. The resolution of an electron microscope can be as high as a few picometers, which is several orders of magnitude better than that of a light microscope. Electron microscopes achieve this high resolution by using electromagnetic lenses to focus the electrons onto the specimen, and by detecting and processing the resulting electron signals.
Moreover, the magnification of a microscope is determined by the optical properties of the lenses and the detection system. In a light microscope, the maximum magnification is limited by the numerical aperture of the lenses, as well as the quality and dispersion of the light source. Typically, the maximum achievable magnification for a light microscope is around 1000-2000 times.
On the other hand, electron microscopes can achieve much higher magnifications due to the shorter wavelength and higher energy of electrons. Electron microscopes can easily reach magnifications in the range of thousands to millions of times, allowing for extremely detailed examination of the specimen.
In summary, the maximum resolution and magnification of a light microscope are limited by the wavelength of visible light, while an electron microscope can achieve higher resolution and magnification due to the much smaller wavelength of electrons.