is the reason we cant see atoms thru a optical microscope?

Question

is because the light wave lengths are too large for the atoms?

Answer 1

Yes, that's why. The first answerer is correct, too--we can't make a lens powerful enough to see an atom--but the reason why we can't is that the wavelength of visible light is larger than an atom.

Answer 2

We can only see the crystal structure of a material thru the lenses of a microscope.
The optical microscope has a magnification limitation because as we increase the magnification the less the intensitity of light become ,this is because the photons get absorbed into the atoms of the lens, hence it becomes so dim we cannot distinguish an image any more.
In order to see an atom we need a special instrument which works on the principle of electron waves.Its called electron microscope.

The smallest atoms diameter is about 0.6 Angstrom. The diameter of a photonof light is trilions of trillion time smaller than the smallest electron.
However we can only see the outline of a cloud because every thing in the atom moves about the order of one tenth the speed of light.
The wavelenght of light determines the color of the radiation only and not how light is reflected.

Answer 3

I don't think a lens can be made that's powerful enough to enable us to see stuff that small. To see atoms you need an electron microscope.

Answer 4

Not.. because is to small...

With an optical microscopy you have a maximum 2000 magnification, that is not enough to see the atoms.

You need an electronic microscopy to this: 100 000 magnification...

The magnification is proportional to the wave length

Answer 5

no, because the atoms are just too small!! i hope you passed chemistry class. or at least general science!

Answer 6

no, it's because they are just too small!!!