transmission electron microscope
compound (light) microscope
scanning electron microscope
field scope
dissecting microscope
Arrange the five types of microscopes in order from lowest resolution to highest.
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To arrange the five types of microscopes in order from lowest resolution to highest, we need to understand that resolution refers to the ability of a microscope to distinguish between two closely spaced objects as distinct entities.
1. Compound (light) microscope: This type of microscope uses visible light to illuminate the sample. It has the lowest resolution among the five options. The resolution of a compound microscope is limited by the wavelength of visible light, typically around 400-700 nanometers.
2. Dissecting microscope: Also known as a stereo microscope, this type of microscope provides a three-dimensional view of the sample. While it offers better resolution compared to the compound microscope, it is still lower compared to the next three microscopes. Dissecting microscopes generally have a resolution in the range of tens to hundreds of micrometers.
3. Field scope: Although not a traditional microscope, field scopes are handheld devices used for observing objects in the field. They usually offer magnification but have relatively lower resolution compared to other types of microscopes. The resolution of a field scope depends on its specific design and can vary considerably, typically in the range of hundreds of micrometers to millimeters.
4. Transmission electron microscope (TEM): This type of microscope uses a focused beam of electrons to illuminate the sample. It provides much higher resolution compared to the previously mentioned microscopes. TEMs are capable of resolving structures as small as fractions of a nanometer, depending on the microscope and sample conditions.
5. Scanning electron microscope (SEM): SEMs also use a beam of electrons but work differently than TEMs. SEMs scan the specimen's surface, creating an image with excellent depth of field and high resolution. They typically have similar or slightly better resolution compared to TEMs, depending on the specific microscope. SEMs can achieve resolutions in the range of tens of nanometers to a few nanometers.
Therefore, the arranged order from the lowest resolution to the highest resolution is as follows: Compound (light) microscope, dissecting microscope, field scope, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope.