Question

A special filter has been added to the lamp of your compound light that allows only light of wavelength 495 nm to pass through. What is the best resolution that could be obtained using this filter and the standard light microscope? (Note that the best numerical aperture in light microscope is 2.5) Please explain each step

Answer 1

Resolving power of a microscope is defined as its ability to separate two closely placed objects as two separate objects. Resolution is the minimum distance which can be resolved by a microscope.

RP = 0.61 (wavelength) / numerical aperture

= 0.61 × 495 / 2.5

= 120.78 nm

It means the minimum distance than can be resolved by a given microscope is 120.78 nm or the resolution of microscope is 120.78 nm. If the distance between the two objects is less than 120.78 nm, then they will appear as a single object in the microscope.

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