Question

Discuss how the size of details of an object that can be detected with electromagnetic waves is related to the wavelength of the EM wave, by comparing details observable with two different types (for example, radar and visible light or infrared and X-rays).  Would an individual atom be observable by the human eye using a powerful optical microscope (one that uses visible light)? Why don

Answer 1

The resolution of an image is directly proportional to wavelength of light which id producing the image. Thus, to be able to look at smaller details, we need smaller wavelengths.

Thus, size of details of object is inversely propotional to wavelength. This is the reason we use microscopes to look at tiny objects.

All particles have wave properties. So, when using a particle as a probe, we need to use particles with short wavelengths to get detailed information about small things. As a rough rule of thumb, a particle can only probe down to distances equal to the particle's wavelength. To probe down to smaller scales, the probe's wavelength has to be made smaller.

Due to this reason, an individual atom will never be seen through optical microscope.

Radio waves have large wavelength (of the order of meters), so they can bend around the walls of buildings and pass across. Hence, they are not blocked.