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Scientists and inquisitive people have always tried to explore the world around them, whether a large mountain or a small organism. The problem was that when they found out that tiny organisms also exist, or they wanted to explore atoms, etc, the organisms were not visible by naked eyes. There was a need to develop a device that magnified these tiny things and made them visible. Aristotle tried to look at the honeycomb using his very primitive magnifying glasses. Further scientists came up, and science evolved; the light and electron microscope came with this evolution.
What is a Microscope?
Microscopes are devices that magnify the image of a tiny object kept on the stage of the device, using a collection of lenses inside it. This magnified image is visible on the eyepiece to the observer. These microscopes help to view small things. It is a very commonly used device in labs and is necessary for science students. The microscopes have evolved, first came into use as the light microscope, a basic and versatile device and then came the electron microscope, which is a more accurate and costly device.
Light Microscope
The light microscope is a simple device that uses visible light to form a magnified image of an object on the eyepiece. The microscope lens first focuses on the light rays coming from the surrounding area. First, the user sets the resolution; then, the user will see a magnified image; they can set the resolution accordingly only. A light microscope also comes in a variety of lenses. A simple light microscope comprises a single lens, whereas a complex light microscope comprises a collection of lenses.
Important Parts of Light Microscope
1. Stage: the object is set on the stage with hooks.
Fine and coarse adjustments: this helps the user set the microscope to the desired resolution.
Light source: the lens below the stage which helps focus the surrounding light on the object
2. Objective lens: the lens which helps the user to get the magnified image according to set the resolution
These parts of the light microscope are the basis of it; without these, that simple device cannot be made.
The added advantage of this type of microscope is that it can be carried easily, it is versatile, it does not require complex settings of the device before use, and it uses the visible light from the surroundings itself; therefore, no special setting is required.
Electron Microscope
The electron microscope is a very complex microscope in which the negatively charged electrons are set in an accelerated motion, and these accelerated electrons emit light.
This electron microscope makes a very accurate and clear image of even the tiniest organisms. This microscope has a key role in the development of nanosciences.
This microscope can produce a magnification of a 50 picometer object to 1, 00,000,000 times. The electron microscope has a high voltage from which an electron gun is connected. The beam of electrons is further shooted towards the apparent lenses made up of magnetic fields. These electrons pass on to the object, and the electrons pass through the stage to touch the zinc sulfide fluorescent screen. An image is formed by the detection of these beams.
The image is then formed on the monitor.
Light Microscope and Electron Microscope: Differences
Differences | Light microscope | Electron microscope |
|---|---|---|
Inventor | Anton van Leeuwenhoek invented it | It was invented by Max Knoll, Ernst Ruska and Bodo von Borries |
Medium for magnification | The light microscope uses the visible light from the surroundings; the objective lens then focuses on the object Finally, with the reflection, we can view the magnified image on the eyepiece | The electron microscope uses a beam of electrons, set at high speed by the electron gun; these electrons then pass through the object to the fluorescent screen The image and beam are then detected and are visible on the monitor |
Complexity | It is a very simple and versatile device, which is very easy to use | It is a complex, heavy and very advanced device Therefore, it cannot be used without prior knowledge |
Can it be taken anywhere? | The light microscope is easy to carry and can be used anywhere | An electron microscope is a heavy device; it cannot be carried easily and requires a big setup for its usage |
Magnification | It has a magnification of 500x to 1500 x | It has a magnification of 1,00,000x to 3,00,000x |
Image colour | The image formed by a light microscope is coloured | The image formed by the electron microscope is black and white |
Vacuum | It does not need a vacuum space for usage | It requires a vacuum for functionality |
Need of voltage | There is no need for electricity or high voltage for usage | The electron microscope requires a high voltage for electrons to shoot at a high speed |
Image formation | Image is formed on the ocular eyepieces | The image is formed at the monitor, which detects a beam of electrons |
Lenses | A collection of glass lenses are used in its making | The lenses are apparent lenses made of up electromagnetic waves |
Conclusion
Light and electron microscopes are the devices that are frequently used in science labs for magnifying and researching tiny objects(organisms). However, these two microscopes are completely different in terms of the illumination source, setup, and product specification like lenses, condensers and other body parts.
