Chapter 17, Problem 40A

To determine

To Explain: A way to determine when the clump of atoms is big enough to be seen through a microscope.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:Every object in nature is visible to human eyes in the respective visible spectrum only when the rays from electromagnetic spectrum reflect from the target surface reach the eyes.

When a ray of electron beams or similar beam of light with the wavelength comparable to the size of atoms i.e. in the order of ${10}^{-14}-{10}^{-15}\text{m}$ impinges upon the surface of atoms then the clumps of atoms are visible as dots in the microscope.

Conclusion: Thus, to see the clumps of atoms using a microscope, a dot is visible when a ray hasthe wavelength equivalent to the size of the atoms on which t impinges upon it and then reflects.