How To Use a Compound Microscope

Summary

This instructional video script guides viewers on how to properly handle and use a microscope. It covers picking up the microscope, adjusting lenses including the ocular and objective lenses, calculating total magnification, and focusing techniques. The script also addresses common issues such as blurry images and light problems, offering solutions like cleaning slides and checking the microscope's components. It concludes with instructions for safely returning the microscope to its storage, ensuring proper care and maintenance.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Proper Handling: Use two hands to carry the microscope, one on the arm and one supporting the base.
• 🧐 Dust Cover Removal: Remove and set aside the dust cover before using the microscope.
• 🔌 Power Up: Ensure the microscope is plugged in and turned on for illumination.
• 🌟 Magnification Explained: Understand the magnification power of the ocular lens (10x) and the objective lenses (4x, 10x, 40x).
• 🤓 Total Magnification: Calculate total magnification by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification.
• 🔍 Focusing Techniques: Use the coarse focus knob for initial focusing and the fine focus knob for precise adjustments on higher magnification lenses.
• 📏 Stage Positioning: Place the slide on the stage and adjust its position using the stage manipulator knobs.
• 🔄 Parfocality: After initial coarse focusing with the scanning lens, use only fine focus for subsequent lenses.
• 💡 Illumination Issues: Check if the microscope is plugged in, turned on, and the light intensity is set correctly if the illuminator is not working.
• 🚫 Diaphragm and Objective Check: Ensure the iris diaphragm is open and the nose piece is clicked into place with the objective for light to pass through.
• 🧼 Slide Clarity: Clean the microscope slide with optic lens wipes to avoid blurry vision due to smudges or dirt.
• ❗️ Troubleshooting: If issues persist, use a red tag to indicate a problem and provide details for further inspection.
• 🏠 Post-Use Care: Turn off the lamp, unplug the microscope, remove the slide, adjust the scanning lens, center the stage, store the cord, and cover with the dust cover before returning the microscope to the cabinet.

Q & A

How should you carry a microscope?

Use two hands, one around the arm and one under the base, and then gently set it down on the table.

What is the purpose of removing the dust cover when using a microscope?

The dust cover is removed to prevent dust from interfering with the observation and to keep the microscope clean.

What is the magnification of the ocular lens on the microscope mentioned in the script?

The ocular lens has a magnification of 10x.

What is the revolving nose piece and what does it do?

The revolving nose piece is a part of the microscope that allows you to select different objective lenses by turning it.

What are the magnifications of the objective lenses available on the microscope?

The objective lenses have magnifications of 4X for the scanning lens, 10X for the low power lens, and 40X for the high power lens.

How is the total magnification of a microscope calculated?

The total magnification is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the ocular lens by the magnification of the objective lens.

What is the function of the condenser lens on a microscope?

The condenser lens focuses the light to a point where the object is on the stage, which is crucial for proper illumination.

What are the two types of focusing knobs on a microscope and what do they do?

There is a coarse focus adjustment knob that moves the stage a lot and a fine focus adjustment knob that moves the stage a little, allowing for precise focusing.

What does 'par focal' mean in the context of microscopes?

Par focal refers to the property of a microscope where the focus remains the same when switching between different objective lenses after initial coarse focusing.

How do you place a slide on the microscope stage?

Ensure the scanning lens is selected, pull back the stage clip, and gently slide the specimen into place, using the stage manipulation knobs to position it correctly.

What should you do if the illuminator does not appear to work?

Check if the microscope is plugged in, turned on, and if the light intensity dial is set to an appropriate level.

What are some common issues that cause blurry vision when using a microscope?

Blurry vision can be caused by improper focus, a dirty slide, or if the objective lens is not properly clicked into place.

How should you clean a microscope slide to avoid blurry vision?

Use optic lens wipes to gently rub the slide, being careful not to touch the specimen or the sharp edges of the slide.

What should you do if you still have trouble with the microscope after trying all the troubleshooting steps?

Attach a red tag to the microscope, detailing the specific issue, and place it in the lab for further inspection.

What are the steps for returning a microscope to the cabinet?

Turn off the lamp, unplug the microscope, remove the slide, return the scanning power to the original location, move the stage to the highest position, center the stage, neatly store the electrical cord, pull the dust cover over, and carry it back to the cabinet with two hands.