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All about light and electron microscopes

A full-size SEM in a lab.

The following resources provide background information about light and electron microscopes and how they work.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao resources

Articles

  • Exploring with microscopes – introduction

  • Light microscopes

  • Types of electron microscopes

  • How microscopes magnify

  • Preparing samples for the electron microscope

  • Exploring with microscopes – key terms

Videos

  • Electron microscopes

  • Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

  • Why we use SEM

Interactive

  • Which microscope?

Activity

  • Which microscope is best?

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 5 June 2025Size: 1.39 MB
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