Practice question

Resolution depends fundamentally on wavelength according to Abbe equation d = λ divided by 2 NA. Light microscopes use visible light of 400 to 700 nanometers, limiting best resolution to about 200 nanometers even with high numerical aperture objectives. Electron microscopy employs accelerated electrons whose de Broglie wavelength is picometers, thousands of times shorter than photons. Shorter wavelength drastically reduces minimal resolvable distance, allowing nanometer and even angstrom-level discrimination of macromolecular complexes. Improved lenses and magnification help but are secondary to this fundamental physical advantage governing wave-particle physics.