Question

The resolution of a microscope describes the scale of the smallest detail that is clearly observable through the microscope. For a microscope with a moderately high-quality objective lens, the resolution is approximately equal to the wavelength of light used. By this criteria, what is the smallest detail observable with a microscope that uses ultraviolet light of frequency 1.00 x 1015 Hz? Enter answer here

Answer 1

f = frequency of the light used = 1 x 10¹⁵ Hz

v = speed of the ultraviolet light = 3 x 10⁸ m/s

$\lambda$ = wavelength of the light being used

Wavelength of the light being used is given as

$\lambda$ = v/f

$\lambda$ = (3 x 10⁸)/(1 x 10¹⁵)

$\lambda$ = 0.3 x 10^-6

$\lambda$ = 0.3 $\mu$m

Hence resolution = $\lambda$ = 0.3 $\mu$m