The Care and Use of the Compound

Microscope

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

The Proper Use

and Care of
the Compound
Microscope.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

Always carry the

compound
microscope with
two hands--by
the (1) BASE and
(2) ARM.

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MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

Place the
microscope in
the middle, not
the edge,of
the desk.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

2
4
5
6

Basic Parts:
1. base
2. arm
3. coarse
4. fine
5. objectives
6. stage

1
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Created August, 2014

7
7. eyepiece
8

8. revolving
nosepiece
9. diaphragm

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10
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10.power cord
11.light
Created August, 2014

12. high power objective

13. stage clips

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Created August, 2014

How to Focus the

Microscope

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

1. Turn the revolving nosepiece so that

no objectives are directly above the
slide.

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Created August, 2014

2. Using the coarse adjustment (1),move

the objectives as close the stage (2)
as possible
1

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Created August, 2014

3. Place the slide on the stage

and secure with the stage
clips.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

4. Turn the nosepiece so that the low

power objective lies directly above the slide.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

5. Look
through the
eyepiece when
focusing,
leaving both
eyes open.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

6. Using the coarse adjustment,slowly

move the objectives away from the
stage until focused.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

7. Adjust the light by turning the

diaphragm using the numbers to increase
or decrease the incoming light.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

Notice the size of the openings in the

diaphragm. Which setting allows the
least light?
4

5
1

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Created August, 2014

8. Use the fine adjustment

knob to clear the image.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

How to Determine
Magnification

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Created August, 2014

Each objective has a different

magnification.

10x
4x
40x
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Created August, 2014

What is the
magnification
of the
eyepiece?
If you multiply
the eyepiece
times the 10X
objective, what
would be the
total
magnification?
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Created August, 2014

When storing the microscope, securely

wrap the cord.
MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

2 Return the
microscope to a
designated place.
When returning
the microscope,
always carry it
using two
hands--by the
(1) BASE and (2)
ARM.
1
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Created August, 2014

Microscope Quiz

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

a
b
c

1. moves
objectives
towards and
away from
stage

2. secures
slide
3. adjusts
light
4. fine focus

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

b
c
d
e
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5. Which would
change the
objective being
used?
a. eyepiece
b. revolving
nosepiece
c. diaphragm
d. power cord
e. light

Created August, 2014

6. Which part
changes the
amount of
light reaching
the slide?

d
e
MISD Science Department

a. eyepiece
b. revolving
nosepiece
c. diaphragm
d. power cord
e. light
Created August, 2014

7. When focusing, explain why the

objectives are always moved away
from the slide.
8. Describe the proper procedure
for carrying and storing a
microscope.

MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014

 MISD Science Department

Created August, 2014