Re: What are some advantages & disadvantages of electron & compound microscopes

These are two very different kinds of microscopes.  Compound microscopes, 
also known as light microscopes use glass lenses to focus light onto a 
sample.  Electron microscopes use magnetic lenses to focus electrons onto a 
sample.  Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages to both:

     Compound or Light Microscopes

Advantages:
1) Easy to use
2) Inexpensive (relative to electron microscopes)
3) Can look at live samples
4) Can magnify up to 2000 times

Disadvantages:

1)  Can't magnify more than 2000 times

     Electron Microscopes

Advantages:
1) Can magnify up to 200,000 times

Disadvantages:

1) Very expensive
2) Complicated to use
3) Can't look at live samples

Hope this helps!