The Fascinating World of Microscopes

What is the magnification of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) compared to a compound light microscope?

A. 500x
B. 2,000x
C. 50,000x
D. 100,000x

Answer:

C. 50,000x

Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) have a higher magnification power compared to compound light microscopes. With a magnification of 50,000x, SEMs are capable of producing detailed images of specimens at a much higher resolution.

In contrast, compound light microscopes typically have a maximum magnification of 1,000x (achieved through a combination of the ocular and objective lenses). While compound light microscopes are useful for viewing transparent or thin specimens, SEMs are essential for observing the surface of solid samples with incredible detail.

The higher magnification of SEMs allows researchers to explore the intricate structures of materials at a microscopic level, enabling advancements in various scientific fields such as materials science, biology, and nanotechnology.

Overall, the impressive magnification power of SEMs opens up a whole new world of discovery and analysis for scientists and researchers.