What are three differences between a compound light microscope and an electron microscope?

When comparing a compound light microscope and an electron microscope, there are several key differences that stand out:

1. Magnification: A compound light microscope typically offers a maximum magnification of around 1000x, while electron microscopes can achieve much higher magnifications, often exceeding 1,000,000x. This allows electron microscopes to resolve much finer details at a nanoscale, which is essential for studying ultra-structure of cells and materials.
2. Illumination Method: Compound light microscopes use visible light to illuminate specimens, which pass through glass lenses. In contrast, electron microscopes use a beam of electrons, which provides a different interaction with the sample, allowing for deeper penetration and higher resolution images.
3. Specimen Preparation: Preparing samples for a compound light microscope is generally simpler, as samples can often be viewed fresh or as thin slices. Electron microscopes, however, require much more complex and costly preparation processes, often involving dehydration, embedding in resin, and slicing into ultra-thin sections to allow electrons to pass through.

These differences highlight the unique capabilities and limitations of each type of microscope, making them suitable for different applications in scientific research.