General Terminology

A measure of distance that is one hundredth of a metre (0.001m).

A lens that is curved on both sides to focus incoming parallel rays of light to a point on the other side of the lens.

A subatomic particle that is negatively charged and is found revolving around a central nucleus.

A type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons, to form an image in the magnification ranges from 25–1,000,000x.

The distance between the centre of a lens to the plane where light rays converge to form a focused image.

The point where parallel light rays converge after travelling through a converging lens.

The measure of an instrument’s ability to  discern two adjacent points from one another.

The process of enlarging the apparent size of an object.

A measure of distance that is one thousandth of a meter (0.001 m)

A measure of distance that is one millionth of a metre (0.000 001m).

A measure of distance that is one billionth of a metre (0.000 000 001m).

A type of microscope that uses visible light (photons) to form an image in the magnification ranges from 1-1500x.

A bundle of electromagnetic energy that is the basic unit of light The basic unit of light  that possesses a specific amount of energy, which include X-Ray radiation, visible light, radio waves.

The change of direction of a ray of light as it transitions from one material to another.

A number that characterizes the ability of a material to change the direction of a ray of light as it transitions to another material.

The shortest distance between two points on a specimen that can be differentiated by the observer/recording device; the shorter the distance, the higher the resolution.