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Light microscopes typically provide more resolution than an electron microscope. True or False?

User Lgwest
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Final answer:

The claim that light microscopes provide greater resolution than electron microscopes is false; electron microscopes have much higher resolution and magnification capabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that light microscopes typically provide more resolution than an electron microscope is false. Electron microscopes offer significantly higher resolution compared to light microscopes. For example, a standard light microscope in a college biology lab can magnify cells up to about 400 times with a resolution of 200 nanometers.

In contrast, electron microscopes can achieve a much greater magnification of 100,000 times and have a resolution of 50 picometers. While light microscopes are useful for viewing live cells and require light to operate, electron microscopes use a beam of electrons which allows for a higher resolution albeit with the disadvantage that they can only view dead ultra-thin specimens as the preparation process kills living cells.

User Charone
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