The Smallest Object One Can Distinguish Using the Electron Microscope

question 34

Short Answer

The smallest object one can distinguish using the electron microscope is on the order of one nanometer (1 nm = 10−⁹ m). How many atoms of gold are contained in a cube whose edge is 1 nm long? The atomic mass of gold is 197 and its density is 19.3 g/cm³.

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Definitions:

Frequency Distribution

A summary of how often different values occur within a data set, usually presented in table or graph form.

Cumulative Frequency

The total of a frequency and all frequencies so far in a frequency distribution.

Relative Frequency

The ratio of the number of times a particular value occurs to the total number of occurrences.

Midpoint

The value exactly in the middle of a range, or the average of two numbers.