136k views
0 votes
The resolution limit of a conventional light microscope is __

A. 0.2 mm
B. 0.2 µm
C. 10 nm
D. 0.1 nm

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The resolution limit of a conventional light microscope is B. 0.2 µm, which is determined by the diffraction limit of light.

Step-by-step explanation:

The resolution limit of a conventional light microscope is 0.2 µm (Option B). This limitation is due to the diffraction of light waves, which means it is not practical to observe objects smaller than 0.2 µm with a standard optical microscope. An oil immersion lens on such a microscope can achieve a total magnification of 1000x while retaining the resolution of 0.2 µm, which is essential in observing fine details that would otherwise be obscured at lower resolutions. In contrast to light microscopes, electron microscopes offer much higher magnifications and can resolve details up to 50 picometers.

The resolution limit of a conventional light microscope is 0.2 µm.

The ability of a lens to resolve detail is ultimately limited by diffraction of light waves, and therefore, the practical limit of resolution for most microscopes is about 0.2 µm.

It would not be practical to try to observe objects smaller than 0.2 µm with a standard optical microscope.

User Punchman
by
7.4k points