Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 7: Problem 100

What properties of electrons are used in the operation of an electron microscope?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The operation of an electron microscope relies on several properties of electrons: 1) their wave nature, which allows them to behave like light waves and be diffracted and interfered, 2) their magnetic properties, which permit them to be directed and focused with magnetic lenses, and 3) their ability to interact with matter, causing both elastic and inelastic scattering when the electron beam meets the specimen in the microscope.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Wave Properties of Electrons

The wave property of electrons permits them to be used in an electron microscope. According to the de Broglie hypothesis, all matter exhibits wave-particle duality, behaving both as a particle and a wave. This principle implies that electrons can be diffracted and interference patterns can form, just like light waves. This property is significant in the operation of an electron microscope, where the 'wavelength' of the electrons (around 1 pm for 100 keV electrons) is much shorter than that of light, allowing for much greater resolution.
02

Recognizing the Magnetic Properties of Electrons

Electrons have magnetic properties. They have spin and an associated magnetic moment. This characteristic allows them to be steered and focused utilizing electromagnetic lenses in an electron microscope.
03

Understanding the interaction between Electrons and Matter

When the electron beam in the microscope interacts with the specimen, both elastic and inelastic scattering occur, which can provide information about the specimen's topography, morphology, composition, and crystallographic information. The property of electrons to scatter and diffract is again used here.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Use the Aufbau principle to obtain the ground-state electron configuration of selenium.

An electron in an excited state in a hydrogen atom can return to the ground state in two different ways: (a) via a direct transition in which a photon of wavelength \(\lambda_{1}\) is emitted and (b) via an intermediate excited state reached by the emission of a photon of wavelength \(\lambda_{2}\). This intermediate excited state then decays to the ground state by emitting another photon of wavelength \(\lambda_{3}\). Derive an equation that relates \(\lambda_{1}\) to \(\lambda_{2}\) and \(\lambda_{3}\)

Scientists have found interstellar hydrogen atoms with quantum number \(n\) in the hundreds. Calculate the wavelength of light emitted when a hydrogen atom undergoes a transition from \(n=236\) to \(n=235 .\) In what region of the electromagnetic spectrum does this wavelength fall?

What is the difference between a \(2 p_{x}\) and a \(2 p_{y}\) orbital?

State the Aufbau principle and explain the role it plays in classifying the elements in the periodic table.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free