Question

Assuming that all other variables remain constant, explain why light of shorter wavelength will produce a clearer image than light of longer wavelengths.

Answer 1

We see things when wavelengths of light bounce off objects, we detect that light and interpret it as vision. Short wavelengths of light have more energy and provide a crisper image.

The image produced by a light microscope is related to the wavelength of light used to create the image. Short wavelengths can give a sharper image because short wavelengths have greater resolving power.

You can look up "electromagnetic spectrum" or "visible spectrum" on the internet and get some great pix.

Answer 2

The image produced by a light microscope is related to the wavelength of light used to create the image. Short wavelengths can give a sharper image because short wavelengths have greater resolving power.

You can look up "electromagnetic spectrum" or "visible spectrum" on the internet and get some great pix.

Answer 3

The use of a blue filter is to eliminate the other wavelengths of light that would produce multiple images slightly out of focus with each other. As a result, the resolution will be poor. If you've seen a color print of people in the newspaper with the colors not registered (aligned) properly, you get three slightly over-lapping images.

Also the shorter waves lengths allows the finer details of a specimen to be resolved. An example is radar waves used to detect aircraft. Radar uses long wavelengths so an actual image of the object can't be detected but just a reflection of the energy. But if you use visible light and a powerful telescope, you would be able to see the actual aircraft. If you use electrons or X-rays with very sort wavelengths to illuminate the object you can observe actual atoms!