Question

In materials characterization, electron microscopy uses which property of electron?

• A. Negative charge
• B. Spin nature
• C. Wave nature
• D. Zero

Hint:

In electron microscopy, it is the wave nature of electrons that allows for high-resolution imaging, similar to how light waves work in optical microscopy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In materials characterization, electron microscopy uses the wave nature of electrons. Electron microscopy works on the principle that electrons, due to their wave-like behavior, can be diffracted and focused similarly to light waves in optical microscopy. The electron’s wave properties allow for high-resolution imaging at atomic scales, making electron microscopy an essential tool for material characterization.
The key point is that, as electrons move, they exhibit both particle and wave properties (wave-particle duality). The wave nature of electrons enables the microscope to resolve very fine details, far beyond the capability of light-based optical microscopes.
- Negative charge is an inherent property of electrons, but it is not the primary characteristic utilized in electron microscopy.
- Spin nature refers to the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron, which plays a role in some
specific types of electron microscopy but is not the defining characteristic used in general electron microscopy.
- Zero does not describe a property used in electron microscopy.
Thus, the correct property used in electron microscopy for materials characterization is the wave nature of the electron.