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Why are specimens coated in a thin layer of gold before being put into a scanning electron microscope?2019 Atomi QuestionA(Choice A)It allows the beam to focus onto the specimenB(Choice B)It causes the electrons to scatterC(Choice C)It causes the electron beam to bounce off the specimen's surfaceD(Choice D)It broadens the electron beam

Question

Why are specimens coated in a thin layer of gold before being put into a scanning electron microscope?2019 Atomi QuestionA(Choice A)It allows the beam to focus onto the specimenB(Choice B)It causes the electrons to scatterC(Choice C)It causes the electron beam to bounce off the specimen's surfaceD(Choice D)It broadens the electron beam

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Solution

Specimens are coated in a thin layer of gold before being put into a scanning electron microscope because of Choice C: It causes the electron beam to bounce off the specimen's surface.

Here's why:

Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) work by scanning a focused electron beam over a surface to create an image. The electrons in the beam interact with the atoms in the sample, producing various signals that can be used to obtain information about the surface topography and composition.

Non-conductive materials, like biological specimens, are coated with a thin layer of gold (or other conductive metals) to prevent a charge from building up on the surface when it is bombarded with electrons. This charge build-up can distort the electron signals and therefore the final image.

The gold coating creates a conductive path that allows these excess electrons to dissipate. When the electron beam hits the gold-coated specimen, the electrons bounce off the surface. These scattered electrons are then detected and used to create the image. So, the gold coating doesn't just prevent charge build-up, it also enhances the quality of the image by providing a better signal.

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