1. Microscope
Basics
T. Trimpe

2. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. Objective
The magnifying lens, comes in different powers
Objective

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

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

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

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

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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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?

20. 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.

21. 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.