Question

Arrange the following microscope in the increasing order of resolving power:
A. SEM
B. Compound
C. TEM
D. Polarising
E. Fluorescence

• A. B, D, E, A, C
• B. A, B, C, D, E
• C. D, C, B, E, A
• D. E, D, C, A, B

Hint:

Remember the hierarchy of magnification: Light Microscopes<Electron Microscopes. Within electron microscopes, \textbf{T}EM (\textbf{T}ransmission) offers higher resolution for seeing \textbf{t}hrough a sample than \textbf{S}EM (\textbf{S}canning) does for seeing the \textbf{s}urface.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Resolving power is the ability of a microscope to distinguish two closely spaced points as separate. Higher resolving power means finer detail can be seen.
Step 1: Group the microscopes. We have light microscopes (B, D, E) and electron microscopes (A, C). Electron microscopes have significantly higher resolving power than light microscopes because electrons have a much shorter wavelength than visible light.

Step 2: Order the light microscopes. Compound (B), Polarising (D), and Fluorescence (E) are all types of light microscopes. Their theoretical resolving power is similar and limited by the wavelength of light. For practical purposes in this context, they can be grouped together at the lower end of the scale. The exact order among them can vary based on specific setups, but they are all in the same class.

Step 3: Order the electron microscopes. Among electron microscopes, the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM - C) generally has a higher resolving power than the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM - A). TEM can resolve details down to the atomic level, while SEM is used for surface topography.

Step 4: Combine the orders. The increasing order of resolving power is: Light Microscopes \(\rightarrow\) SEM \(\rightarrow\) TEM. The sequence is (D, E, B) \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) C. Option (1) presents a plausible order: B, D, E, A, C, which correctly places the light microscopes first, followed by SEM, and finally TEM with the highest resolution.