Question

Which of the following conditions would result in the best resolution?

A) red light and 0.95 N. A.
B) red light and 0.7 N. A.
C) blue light and 0.7 N. A.
D) blue light and 0.95 N. A.
E) green light and 0.95 N. A.

Answer 1

The best resolution is achieved when using blue light with a wavelength of 470 nm and a numerical aperture of 0.95.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best resolution is achieved when the wavelength of the light used is smaller and the numerical aperture (N.A.) is higher. The numerical aperture is a measure of the light-gathering ability of an optical system. In this case, the light that gives the best resolution is blue light (470 nm) and 0.95 N.A. This is because resolution is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light used and directly proportional to the numerical aperture (N.A.) of the optical system. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red or green light and thus provides better resolution. Additionally, a higher numerical aperture allows for a wider angle of light to enter the microscope, increasing resolution as well.