MODULE 2 How To Properly Use A Compound Microscope
MODULE 2 How To Properly Use A Compound Microscope
Class!
Lesson
For Today
How to properly
use a compound
microscope
With Ma’am Rhea C. Manigbas
A microscope can help you observe things that you
can't see with the naked eye, such as bacteria.
However, if you do not know how to focus your
microscope correctly, you will be unable to view these
objects. Getting the best focus on your microscope
requires setting it up properly, focusing on your
sample, and magnifying the sample so that you can see
it.
Procedures
1. Uncover the microscope, unwrap the cord,
and plug it in or face the mirror in an area with
enough light source.
2. Clean all glass surfaces with lens paper. Start
with the eyepiece, then do the objectives, the
substage mirror or illuminator, and end with the
stage window.
Procedures
3. Turn on the light (or adjust the mirror so that
the light shines through the stage window).
Adjust the diaphragm under the stage so that a
medium amount of light gets through. Adjust
the fine focus knob to a middle position.
Procedures
4. Place the slide on the stage, with a stage clip
holding down each side of the slide. Center the
specimen on the slide over the stage window.
5. Using the low power objective, focus with
coarse adjustment. Start with the objective as
close to the slide as possible and focus away
from the slide.
Procedures
6. Before turning to a higher power,
make sure there is something worthwhile
to look at and center the specimen in the
middle of the field.
Procedures
7. Without changing the focus adjustment,
change to the next highest objective (the
centered specimen should be in view and
should be almost in focus). Now focus with the
fine adjustment knob. Repeat Steps 6 and 7 up
to the highest power.
Procedures
8. Clean up! Return to low power objective
before taking off the slide. Clean and dry the
stage and objectives, turn off the light, and
wrap the cord neatly around the base of the
microscope. Replace the cover.
Magnification
process
The two lenses that determine the
magnification of the microscope are the
eyepiece lens and the objective lens. Each
has a number on it that signifies its
magnification.
OCULAR LENS
(eyepiece)
Your microscope will have either one (monocular) or
two (binocular) ocular lenses.
When using your microscope and adjusting the focus you will
need to lower the objective lens down as far as it will go.
However, you should never allow the lens to touch the slide
you are looking at. Dirty lenses can be difficult to clean.
Tip3: Clean after using
All microscopes are sold with dust covers. Always keep your
microscope covered when not in use even if the microscope is stored
in a cabinet. Eye tubes also need to be kept free of dust so do not store
a microscope without the eyepieces. If the microscope eyepieces must
be removed, cover the tubes with caps or a plastic bag with a rubber
band around the eye tube.
Tip 5: Look after the bulb
After using the microscope, turn off the illuminator and wait
for it to cool for several minutes before putting it away. By
allowing the bulb to cool you will extend its life. When
turning the microscope on and off, use the switch not the
power point.
Tip 6: Store in a clean, dry place