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The Microscope
Manual
This reading will help you learn about the proper use and care of the microscope. It will be important for you to know how to use the microscope properly because they are delicate instruments and are expensive to replace. You will also learn the names of the parts of the microscope. This year in science:
- You will be responsible for leaving the microscope in the correct position, with the light off and the slide removed (and cleaned).
- You will also be responsible for proper care and use of the computers. **** Failure to do so will result in a lower lab grade for the period!
Please return this packet to Ms. Liu when
you complete your homework!
Handling a Microscope
The digital microscope you are using in science this year costs $900, so it is very important that you handle it properly. Here are five important rules about handling the microscope:
- Always place the microscope at least 6 inches (15.24 cm) back from the edge of a table or counter.
- Never plug the cord into a socket where someone could walk by and knock it from the table by accidentally walking into the cord. Also, keep all cords that are attached to the microscope and the computer away from water and the end of the table.
- Always be careful of the objective lenses. Follow the instructions in the “FOCUSING THE MICROSCOPE” section about how to magnify properly so that the objective lenses do not get scratched or broken.
- IF YOU NEED TO carry the microscope, use two hands. One hand holds the base. The other hand holds the arm.
End of Class: How to Clean Up the Microscope
- Always place the low power objective lens over the stage (in position for viewing).
- Use the coarse adjustment knob to lower the stage all the way down.
- Turn off the on-off power switch.
- Carefully unplug the power cord from the microscope and the outlet. Gently wrap the cord and place it in the designated location.
- Place the cover over the microscope.
Lower down on the microscope there is a square, flat, black slab of metal with an opening in the middle of it. The opening is just above the light source. This is where you put the microscope slide you are going to look at. It is called the STAGE. Just underneath the stage is a round, black and silver cylinder with a horizontal lever which you slide horizontally with your finger. The dial adjusts the amount of light that gets through the hole in the middle of the stage. It is called the DIAPHRAGM. On the bottom, left side of the base is a dial that also allows you to adjust the brightness of the light. This is called the BASE DIMMER CONTROL. Use this after you have adjusted the light using the DIAPHRAGM. Label the BASE DIMMER CONTROL, STAGE, and DIAPHRAGM on your microscope homework. TOP VIEW BOTTOM VIEW On top of the stage is a silver clamp of metal screwed into the stage. It is called the STAGE CLAMP. The stage clamp holds the microscope slide in place. Below the stage is a set of knobs called the STAGE ADJUSTMENT KNOBS. The top (larger) stage adjustment knob moves the stage vertically (towards you and away from you). The bottom (smaller) stage adjustment knob moves the stage horizontally (left/ right). Label the STAGE CLAMP and the STAGE ADJUSTMENT KNOBS. Stage Diaphragm Stage Adjustment Knobs
Hanging just above the stage are three pointed tubes called OBJECTIVE LENSES. These are attached to a round movable dial called the NOSEPIECE. You can use the different objective lenses by turning the nosepiece. Keep your fingers off the lenses. Label the OBJECTIVE LENSES and NOSEPIECE. The longest objective lens on a microscope is called the high power objective lens. The high-powered lens has the number 40X written on it. This number tells you the magnification power. This 40X lens is used with the 10X lens in the eyepiece. Together, they magnify the specimen 40 x 10 or 400 times its actual size. The large long bent bar that holds the eyepiece and the objective lens over the stage is called the neck or ARM. Label it the ARM. The knobs between the base and the stage are used to focus on the microscope slide. The large knob is called the COARSE ADJUSTMENT. It moves the stage up and down and provides most of the focus of your image. COARSE ADJUSTMENT is ALWAYS USED FIRST when starting to focus an image on low-power objective. COARSE ADJUSTMENT is NEVER used on high- power because the stage can move too close to the lens and cause major Bottom View Top View
