Exam-style question
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What is the primary limitation of optical microscopes compared to electron microscopes?.
- A.Inability to magnify objects
- B.Limited resolution due to light wavelength
- C.Cannot use lenses for focusing
- D.Only suitable for non-biological samples
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Limited resolution due to light wavelength
Explanation
Why this works
The primary limitation of optical microscopes is their resolution, which is constrained by the wavelength of visible light. This means they cannot resolve details smaller than about 200 nanometers.
In contrast, electron microscopes use electrons, which have much shorter wavelengths, allowing them to resolve much finer details at the nanoscale.
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