What is the Difference Between Magnification and Resolution?

Magnification and resolution are two important concepts in microscopy and other imaging techniques, but they serve different purposes:

• Magnification refers to the ability to make small objects appear larger, such as making a microscopic organism visible. It is the enlargement of an image, and the degree of magnification can be expressed by a whole number and a letter "X".
• Resolution is the ability to distinguish two objects from each other, and it is the power of an optical instrument to capture and produce more details of an image. Resolution represents the extent and magnitude of the diffraction patterns and is affected by factors such as the wavelength of light, the refractive materials used to manufacture the objective lens, and the numerical aperture.

While both magnification and resolution contribute to the clarity and detailedness of an image, they are not interchangeable, and one does not necessarily guarantee the other. For example, a microscope can increase magnification, but the images may not be necessarily readable or interpretable if the resolution is not sufficient. In microscopy, scientists depend more on resolution, as they want to determine differences between microbes or parts of microbes.

Comparative Table: Magnification vs Resolution

Here is a table comparing the differences between magnification and resolution:

Magnification is the enlargement of an image, making small objects such as microorganisms visible. In contrast, resolution is the ability to distinguish two objects or points very close to each other. While both magnification and resolution are important for observing and understanding specimens, they serve different purposes and are interdependent.