Resolving Power

Name:
Resolving Power
Detailed information:
The extent to which a lens can distinguish small particles and minute distances, i.e., fine structure. The human eye can resolve objects of 1/250th inch (100 microns) in any dimension. The compound microscope has a resolving power of 0.5 micron; an electron microscope can resolve fine structure as small as 5 Å, that is, in the molecular range. Two factors determine resolving power, the wavelength of the radiation utilized and the focal depth of the lens. The resolving power of a microscope is much more important than its ability to magnify, for no magnification, however large, can add detail to an image that was not first discerned by the lens system.See Optical Microscope; Electron Microscope.