Care and Use of the Microscope Microscope One

Care and Use of the Microscope

Microscope One of the first microscopes was built by Anton von Leeuwenhoek. The microscope should always be carried in an upright position, with one hand holding the arm and the other hand under the base. The ocular, or eyepiece, and the objectives are very fragile and should NEVER be touched by your hands or anything else EXCEPT clean lens paper.

Microscope When setting up the microscope, remove the cover, unwind the cord, and plug it into an outlet. The body tube should be in its highest position. The low-power objective should be pointing downwards. Carefully place your slide on the stage. Move the slide around until your specimen is directly over the hole above the light. Hold the slide in place with the stage clips.

Microscope Looking from the side --NOT through the eyepiece -- use the coarse - adjustment knob to lower the body tube to its lowest position. Now, look through the eyepiece at your specimen. If it is out of focus, SLOWLY move the body tube upwards with the coarse-adjustment knob UNTIL the object comes into focus.

Microscope You are now seeing the object under low power with the low - power objective. You will know the magnification by multiplying the eyepiece magnification by the low-power magnification. Typically, the eyepiece is 10 X, and the low-power objective is 10 X. So, the total magnification of your specimen under low power is 100 X. Before you go to high power, make sure that what you want to see is in the exact center of your "field of view. "

Microscope To view the objective under high power, STOP!!!: DO NOT MOVE THE slide AND DO NOT TOUCH THE coarse adjustment KNOB BECAUSE YOU WILL BREAK THE SLIDE OR THE OBJECTIVE!!

Microscope Instead, turn the nosepiece until the high - power objective is pointing downwards. You will feel and hear a "click" when the objective is in the correct position. After turning the nosepiece until the high-power objective is in place, SLOWLY turn the fine adjustment knob until the object is in focus. Typically, the high-power magnification is 40 X, so the total magnification is 400 X.

Microscope When you are finished observing, FIRST turn the nosepiece until the low - power objective is back in place. Turn the coarse - adjustment knob until the body tube is in its highest position. Then, remove the slide. Unplug the microscope, wrap the cord around it, and put the cover on.

Microscope Parts Ocular (eyepiece) Course adjustment knob Fine adjustment knob Arm Stage clips Body tube Nosepiece Low Power Objective High Power Objective Stage Diaphragm Base Light