Question

Microscope talk:

To increase Resolving power (RP) is it good to have a large NA or a small NA?
(The (NA) can be found on each objective lens and usually ranges from 0.1 to 1.25.)

Answer 1

The correct answer would be large NA

The resolution of a microscope is defined as its ability to distinguish two closely placed points as different entities.

The NA or numerical aperture of an objective is defined as the ability of a microscope to gather light.

NA determines the resolving power of the microscope that is, the higher the NA the higher will be the resolving power of the microscope.

However, the total resolution of any microscope also depends upon the NA of the substage condenser.