Download Article Show Download Article A compound microscope is a powerful magnification tool commonly used in scientific laboratories for viewing bacteria and other tiny cell samples. Compound microscopes use at least two convex lenses placed on opposite ends of a tube. As you raise and lower the top portion of the tube, known as the eyepiece, the microscope focuses on and magnifies the image at the bottom of the tube. Despite its complexities, you do not have to be a scientist to learn how to use a compound microscope.
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Advertisement ReferencesAbout This ArticleArticle SummaryX To use a compound microscope, plug the microscope into a nearby outlet and prepare the slide with a cover slip or cover glass to protect the specimen. Next, place the slide on the center of the stage, over the glass hole, and use the two stage clips to secure the slide in place. Then, set the microscope to the lowest level of magnification by turning the nosepiece turret until the shortest lens is above your sample. Finally, look through the eyepiece and focus the microscope by using the coarse focus and fine focus knobs. To learn about increasing the magnification, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 142,272 times. Reader Success Stories
Did this article help you?What happens to an image in a compound microscope?An objective forms a real inverted image of an object, which is a finite distance in front of the lens. This image in turn becomes the object for the ocular, or eyepiece. The eyepiece forms the final image which is virtual, and magnified.
How does a compound microscope work step by step?Compound Microscopes
Turn the revolving turret (2) so that the lowest power objective lens (eg. 4x) is clicked into position. Place the microscope slide on the stage (6) and fasten it with the stage clips. Look at the objective lens (3) and the stage from the side and turn the focus knob (4) so the stage moves upward.
How does the compound microscope flip the image?The eyepiece of the microscope contains a 10x magnifying lens, so the 10x objective lens actually magnifies 100 times and the 40x objective lens magnifies 400 times. There are also mirrors in the microscope, which cause images to appear upside down and backwards.
How does an image change under a microscope?The optics of a microscope's lenses change the orientation of the image that the user sees. A specimen that is right-side up and facing right on the microscope slide will appear upside-down and facing left when viewed through a microscope, and vice versa.
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