How do light and electron microscopes differ?

Comparison between a light microscope and an electron microscope: Both light microscopes and electron microscopes use radiation (light or electron beams) to form larger and more detailed images of objects than the human eye can produce unaided. read more

Electron microscopy uses an electron beam rather than light to achieve magnification. To do this, electrons pass through a thin piece of the specimen. The wavelengths of an electron beam are much smaller than light, allowing for better resolution. read more

While a light microscope uses light to illuminate specimens and glass lenses to magnify images, an electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to illuminate specimens and magnetic lenses to magnify images. The resolution (the level of image detailing) is the main difference between these two microscopes. read more