The Scanning Electron Microscope – Online Activity

Directions:

q       Go to this website: http://www.mos.org/sln/sem/intro.html

q       This page says Scanning Electron Microscope.

q       Click on How the SEM Works

q       Click on Slide Show

q       Read through the information and answer the questions below.

q       Go back to the How the SEM Works

q       Click on SEM Animation and view the presentation.

q       Go back to Scanning Electron Microscope page and click on Image Gallery. Click through at least 10 images.

Slide Show Questions:

1.      What is the magnification range and resolution of a scanning electron microscope?

2.      How does a conventional light microscope magnify images?

3.      What does a scanning electron microscope (SEM) use to create magnified images?

4.      Why are the images produced by an electron microscope in black and white?

5.      Why do specimens have to be prepared very carefully for the electron microscope.

6.      Why do specimens for an electron microscope have to be prepared so they conduct electricity?

7.      How are SEM specimens made conductive?

8.      What is pumped out of the SEM chamber before viewing.

9.      A  beam of electrons is focused on the specimen. Some electrons are knocked off and a detector  counts them and sends the information to an amplifier. How is the final image of the specimen created?

10.  What SEM image did you like the best. Explain why you liked this image the best.