Microscope Basics T. Trimpe 2005 http://sciencespot.net/

Ocular lens (Eyepiece) Body Tube Nosepiece Arm Objectives Stage Stage Clips Coarse Adjustment Diaphragm Fine Adjustment Light Always carry a microscope with one hand holding the arm and one hand under the base. Base

What are the parts?? 1. eyepiece 7. objective 2. fine adjustment 8. stage clips 3. coarse adjustment 9. arm 4. stage 10. base 5. mirror 11. nosepiece 6. body tube 12. diaphragm

Eyepiece The eyepiece is the part of the microscope which you look through. It usually has its own magnification of 10x. eyepiece

Fine Adjustment This part of the microscope is used when changing small amounts of focus. Fine adjustment

Coarse Adjustment Used when making large changes in focus on the microscope Moves the body tube up and down Coarse Adjustment

Adjustment Some microscopes only have ONE adjustment knob If so, it is a coarse adjustment!

Stage Where slides are placed on the microscope for viewing. Stage

Mirror The mirror is used to reflect light from a light source up through the diaphragm Mirror

Body Tube The body tube holds the eyepiece of a microscope and connects it to the objectives Body Tube

Objective The magnifying lens, comes in different powers Objective

Stage Clips The stage clips hold the slide in place Stage Clips

Arm The arm is used for safe transportation of the microscope Arm

Base What the microscope uses to “sit” on, also used for safe transportation Base

Nosepiece The nosepiece holds two or more objective lenses and can be rotated to easily change powers Nosepiece

Diaphragm Used to vary the amount of light which passes through the slide Usually better in lower amounts Diaphragm

Label the Parts 1. Eyepiece 7. Body Tube 2. Coarse Adjustment 8. Nosepiece 3. Fine Adjustment 9. Objective lens 4. Arm 10. Stage 5. Stage Clips 11. Diaphragm 6. Base 12. Mirror

What’s my power? To calculate the power of magnification, multiply the power of the ocular lens by the power of the objective. What are the powers of magnification for each of the objectives we have on our microscopes? What is the magnification power of this given microscope? Show all work below.

Comparing Powers of Magnification We can see better details with higher the powers of magnification, but we cannot see as much of the image. Which of these images would be viewed at a higher power of magnification?

Let’s give it a try ... 1 – Turn on the microscope and then rotate the nosepiece to click the red-banded objective into place. 2 – Place a slide on the stage and secure it using the stage clips. Use the coarse adjustment knob (large knob) to get it the image into view and then use the fine adjustment knob (small knob) to make it clearer. 3 – Once you have the image in view, rotate the nosepiece to view it under different powers. Draw what you see on your worksheet! Be careful with the largest objective! Sometimes there is not enough room and you will not be able to use it! 4 – When you are done, turn off the microscope and put up the slides you used.

You do not need to use the stage clips when viewing wet-mount slides! How to make a wet-mount slide … 1 – Get a clean slide and coverslip from your teacher. 2 – Place ONE drop of water in the middle of the slide. Don’t use too much or the water will run off the edge and make a mess! 3 – Place the edge of the cover slip on one side of the water drop. 4 - Slowly lower the cover slip on top of the drop. Cover Slip Lower slowly You do not need to use the stage clips when viewing wet-mount slides! 5 – Place the slide on the stage and view it first with the red-banded objective. Once you see the image, you can rotate the nosepiece to view the slide with the different objectives.