Final answer:
The resolving power of the microscope refers to its ability to distinguish two adjacent structures as separate, which translates to the detail seen in the image rather than the size or magnification of the object itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Resolving Power of a Microscope:
The resolving power of the microscope refers to its ability to distinguish two closely spaced point objects as separate, essentially the detail seen in the image. This is often introduced in college biology laboratories when students first learn about microscopes. The Rayleigh criterion helps to define the resolving power, stating that resolution is possible when there is a minimum angular separation between the two points.
Undergraduate laboratories typically use light microscopes which magnify up to approximately 400 times. However, for higher magnification and resolution, oil immersion lenses or electron microscopes may be used. The practical limit of resolution for most light microscopes is about 0.2 µm, which is determined by the diffraction limit of light waves.