12.2.5

Electron Microscopes

Test yourself on Electron Microscopes

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Electron Microscopes

Electron microscopes are an alternative to microscopes which use visible light.

Electron microscopes

Electron microscopes

  • Electron microscopes use electrons to scan an object instead of electromagnetic radiation such as light.
  • Electron microscopes need to emit electrons with a small de Broglie wavelength to be accurate enough. This requires a potential difference on the anode of at least 150V.
Transmission electron microscope

Transmission electron microscope

  • A TEM is used for very thin specimens.
  • Electrons are projected through the specimen, and the electrons that are able to pass through the specimen form an image.
    • Thinner parts of the image will allow more electrons to pass.
Scanning tunneling microscope

Scanning tunneling microscope

  • A STM uses a small probe which moves along the sample.
  • A potential difference between the sample and the probe allows a current to flow.
  • The distance between the probe and the sample will affect the resistance, and hence the current.
  • These differences in current can be used to paint an image of the surface on the material.
Jump to other topics
1

Measurements & Errors

2

Particles & Radiation

3

Waves

4

Mechanics & Materials

5

Electricity

6

Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics (A2 only)

7

Fields & Their Consequences (A2 only)

8

Nuclear Physics (A2 only)

9

Option: Astrophysics (A2 only)

10

Option: Medical Physics (A2 only)

11

Option: Engineering Physics (A2 only)

12

Option: Turning Points in Physics (A2 only)

Practice questions on Electron Microscopes

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
Answer all questions on Electron Microscopes

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium