So in science class the other day we were watching a video about the elements. In one part, they looked at atoms through a microscope, and I was wondering how that could work. This is how transmission electron microscopes work.
They use a high voltage electron beam to make the image. Electrons are negatively charged particles of an atom, and they revolve around the atom like a magnet. An electron gun creates the electron beam by using a tungsten cathode. If you're wondering what a cathode is, it is something that picks up an electrical charge. The cathode would allow the electrons to be picked up, letting the beam flow forward. The beam goes through electrostatic and electromagnetic lenses, and scatters the electrons. Then image is seen with an objective lens.
That's about all of my knowledge of electron microscopes for now. It's hard to learn about them when there's so many big words like the ones I had to use above.
I found this picture of a hydrothermal worm magnified by an electron microscope.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_microscope
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/hydrothermal-worm-electron-microscope_n_901833.html
