What are Light Microscopes and Electron Microscopes?
Microscopes are present in varying particular usage. The most common types of microscopes are the light and the electron microscope. Each of these microscopes bear distinguishing features and is suitable for different purposes. Also, both light and electron microscopes use radiation to form complete images of objects that a human eye cannot view.
The key difference between light and electron microscope is that a beam of electrons is employed for magnifying the image of an object while visible light is used in the light microscope to magnify images of spotted areas of materials or biological specimens.
Differences between electron microscope and light microscope in a tabular column are available on this page.
Definition of Light Microscopes and Electron Microscopes
Light microscopes/Optical microscope
A light microscope is a tool used to study microbodies such as bacteria, fungus, etc. to identify their features. Also, it enables examination of small objects which are not visible through naked eyes. The light microscope is also known as an optical microscope. It is an instrument that uses light rays and lenses to enlarge images of microorganisms and other small entities.
One has to place the object on a given platform and view the microbe through the eyepieces. Optical ones are of two types - simple and compound microscopes. The simple one utilizes the visual capacity of single or multiple lenses to enlarge objects. In the case of the compound ones, one lens is placed close to the substance for viewing it.
Electron microscopes
On the other hand, an electron microscope is an instrument that uses electron beams to capture an image and enlarge it. It is an advanced tool that enables a person to visualise smaller entities in high resolution. Through it, you can magnify things in nanometres and scrutinise the objects carefully.
Though the initial work of both the tools is to magnify objects, there is a difference between light and electron microscope.
Difference between a Light Microscope and Electron Microscope
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The type of electron microscope used for studying the internal structure of cells is
Light microscope
Scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Compound microscope
Transmission electron microscope (TEM)
Answer: d
2. The magnification power of an optical microscope is
1500x
4000x
3000x
2500x
Answer: a
3. Under an electron microscope, you can magnify an object up to
4, 08, 000 times
2, 09, 000 no. of times
3, 00, 000 times
4, 12, 000 number of times
Answer: c
4. The picture taken from a microscope is
Monograph
Micrograph
Pictograph
Macrograph
Answer: b
Do It Yourself
Which portion of a compound microscope enables focussing the visible light on the object for a viewing?
Condenser lens
Eyepiece
Objective lens
From our above text on light microscopes and electron microscopes, we understand that light microscopes use visible light to magnify objects that help us view living and dead organisms without the need of a screen for viewing images. However, electron microscopes use electron beams to view dried and dead organisms on the fluorescent screen.
FAQs on Difference Between Light Microscope and Electron Microscope
1. What are the Uses of Electron Microscopes?
With an electron microscope, we can visualise the tiny structure of various specimens. Therefore, it has applications in the industrial areas for controlling quality, and for studying microbiology.
2. How is Light Microscope Different from Electron Microscope?
An electron microscope utilises electron beams to enlarge an object while a light microscope uses light rays to magnify any object. It is the main difference between light microscope and electron microscope.
3. What are the Three Types of Electron Microscopes?
The three types of electron microscopes consist of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM).
