Question

An electron microscope is superior to an optical microscope in terms of:

• A. having better resolving power
• B. being easy to handle
• C. low cost
• D. quickness of observation

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

having better resolving power

The biggest advantage of an electron microscope over optical microscope is that they have a higher resolution and are therefore capable of a higher magnification ( up to $2million$ times ).

However, optical microscopes show a useful magnification up to $1000-2000$ times. This is a limit imposed by the wavelength of light. Electron microscopes, therefore, allow for the visualization of structures that would normally be not visible by optical microscopy.