Microscopes D. Crowley, 2007

Microscopes To be able to use microscopes Friday, September 06, 2019 Robert Hooke’s microscope, 1665

Microscope What is a microscope and how does it work?

Microscopes A microscope makes things appear much bigger than they actually are – they magnify them This means we can view objects which are too small to be seen using the naked eye Microscopes date back almost 400 years, and nowadays there are many types, from optical microscopes which can magnify objects by around 1000x, to electron microscopes which can magnify to more than 1’000’000x

Using A Microscope There is a procedure of 8 steps you need to follow to use a microscope correctly… Place the smallest objective lens (the smallest lens) over the hole in the stage 2. Turn the coarse focusing wheel to make the gap between the stage and the objective lens as small as possible Place a slide on the stage, and secure with the clips. The slide contains what you want to see (your specimen)

Using A Microscope Adjust the light source so light goes up through the stage Look into the eyepiece lens 6. Turn the coarse focusing wheel slowing, until your specimen is in focus

Using A Microscope To see your specimen in more detail, turn the next largest objective lens over your specimen 8. Use the fine focusing wheel to get your image into focus again - do not use the coarse focusing wheel - this can break your slide! In pairs, get a microscope and examine different specimens under the microscope - first look at everyday objects, e.g. some money, some writing paper, a hair etc… Draw what you see using some plain paper…

(big = coarse; small = fine) Worksheet Finally, complete the bottom section of your worksheet - label the microscope. When you have completed this, stick it in your book along with your drawing of a magnified object Eyepiece lens Objective lens Focusing wheel (big = coarse; small = fine) Stage Light source (mirror) Slide (where specimen is)