Complete Guide to Compound Microscope [updated]

Microscope Devices are very crucial for various types of studies and research related to plants, microorganisms, fungi, and many more. So, every student will come across this topic, and they should know what is microscope before moving on to this, they often struggle in this chapter, as it involves various complex sub-topics and questions. Therefore, to help you understand the topic more easily, we have provided a complete guide to Compound microscopes, here in the below article.

What is a Compound Microscope?

The Compound Microscope is a special kind of microscope that features two sets of high-resolution lenses, that are capable of providing a 2-dimensional image of the sample. And because of the presence of two lenses in this microscope, it is referred to as a compound microscope. Moreover, based on the purpose of these microscopes, they are differentiated into multiple types, such as Metallurgical Microscopes, Fluorescence microscopes, Phase Contract Microscopes, and Polarizing microscopes.

Compound Microscope Diagram and Parts

Compound Microscope Diagram

From the above Compound Microscope diagram, as you can observe, there are different types of parts like Eye Piece, Mirror, Base, Course Adjustment Knob, Nose Piece, Stage, Pillars, Base, Fine Adjustment Screw, Body Tube, Handle, Base, Pillars, Objective Lens, and many more. Moreover, all the parts are differentiated into two types, Optical Parts, and Non-Optical Parts.

Functionality of Compound Microscope

As you know, there are many types of microscopes available, like the Compound Microscope. However, the main difference is that this microscope can magnify the complex system in an object. Moreover, there are two types of lenses involved in the Compound Microscope, each having its function as shown in the Compound Microscope diagram above.

  • The first lens acts as a magnifier, and it is placed close to the subject. 
  • While the second one, the ocular Lense helps the individual to view the 2-d image of the subject in more detail. 

Working Principle of Compound Microscope

A compound microscope is known to be a standard microscope that is used for general use and purposes. In a compound microscope, the lens is arranged in such a way that it magnifies the objects from the complex system. It is also called a bright-field microscope since the light flows directly from the source to the eye, through the two lenses.

Let us understand the two types of lenses that are deployed in a compound microscope:

The objective lens is placed closer to an object meant for examination.

Here, the eyepiece or ocular lens facilitates the image viewing. The light then is allowed to pass through the thin transparent object. A magnified image or the real image of the object is generated by the objective lens. The ocular lens now magnifies this real image further to be viewed as the virtual image.

As explained above, the light flows through directly from the source to the eye, through the two lenses.

The first lens is the magnifier that is positioned closer to the subject while the second one is the ocular lens that helps in viewing the 2D image of the subject more clearly.

The compound microscope works simply and it just needs the light to pass through a transparent object. The result of this entire exercise is the formation of the image, in the objective lens, and not just that image formed under this lens is a real image.  Here, the ocular lens is applied to magnify the real image that is formed on the first lens. The image formed thus becomes a virtual one.

Parts of Compound Microscope

The parts of a compound microscope can be classified into:

  • Non-optical parts
  • Optical parts

Non-optical parts of Compound Microscope

Base

The base or the foot is U or horseshoe-shaped. It is a metallic structure supporting the entire microscope.

Pillar

This makes the key connection between the base and the arm possible.

Arm

The arm is also called the limb and is a metallic handle that acts as a connection between the arm to the inclined joint. The stage and the body tube is supported by the arm.

Inclination Joint

If the observation has to be done in a sitting posture, then the microscope has to be tilted using the inclination joint.

Stage

A metallic platform is fitted to the lower section of the arm and has a hole in the center.

Body Tube

The main function of this body tube is to hold the objective and ocular lenses at two ends. The end that has an ocular lens is called the head whereas the end with the objective lens is the nose piece. This is the pathway for the flowing of the light rays through the body tube.

Draw Tube

The upper end of the body tube with a fixed tube is called the drawtube which is primarily meant to hold the ocular lens.

Rack and Pinion

To place the object under focus, the rack and pinion are either attached to the body tube or the stage.

Adjustment Screws

There are two pairs of adjusting screws used for a coarse adjustment or for fine adjustment. In the case of fine adjustment, the body tube or the stage moves in short distances while in coarse adjustment, the body tube and stage move up. Through fine adjustment, a sharp image is generated.

Automatic Stop

The rack and pinion have a small screw used to stop the downward sliding of the body tube and avoid any damage to the objective lens.

Optical Parts of Compound Microscope

Diaphragm

The amount of light falling on the object is regulated through the diaphragm that is seen below the stage. The disc and iris are the two diaphragm types.

Condenser

This is seen below the diaphragm and helps in focusing of light where it is adjusted by moving it either up or down.

Reflector

A reflector is a mirror attached above the base. One side of the mirror has a plane mirror while the other has a concave mirror. When the light is strong, the plane mirror side is used and when it is weaker, the concave mirror side is put into action. The light on the object is directed with the aid of the reflector through the diaphragm and condenser.

Objective Lenses

These are compound lens that generates a real inverted image of what is inside the body tube. Objective lenses are seen over the nose piece and have a few types:

  • Low power
  • High power
  • Oil immersion

Ocular Lens

The ocular lens also called the eyepiece helps in viewing the image of microscopic objects. There are four types of magnification ensured by the ocular lens:

  • 5X
  • 10X
  • 15X
  • 20X

Advantages and Disadvantages of Compound Microscope

Here in this section, we will list the various pros and cons of the Compound Microscope.

Pros of Compound Microscope

    • It allows users to get a very detailed 2d image of the subject as shown in the diagram of a compound microscope. 
    • Instead of using external light sources, the compound microscopes come fitted with their very own light sources.  
    • Moreover, as shown in the diagram of the compound microscope it is very easy to use.  

Cons of Compound Microscope

  • Unlike some other types of microscopes, the magnification available in this compound microscope is limited, after which the users cannot view the image of the subject anymore.  
  • Besides, the number of objects users can view using this microscope is also limited. 

Conclusion

In the above article, we have given a complete description, and diagram of the Compound Microscope, its Function, Parts of the Compounds Microscope, as well as its various advantages and disadvantages. If you want to learn all the complex topics in Physics like what is microscope, simple microscope diagrams, and compound microscopes more easily, then the online interactive classes offered by Tutoroot might be beneficial for you. As it offers various amazing benefits like expert staff, cost-effective prices, doubt-clearing sessions, the best educational guides, and a lot more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Microscope?

A microscope is an optical instrument used to magnify objects or images for detailed examination.

What is the Resolving Power of a Compound Microscope? 

The ability of a compound microscope to successfully differentiate two lines or points in an object is stated as the Resolving Power.

Who invented the compound microscope? 

The compound microscope was invented back in the year the 1590s along with the simple microscope by inventors, Hans Janssen, and Zacharias Janssen.

What is the basic principle of a compound microscope?

A compound microscope is a high-magnification microscope that uses two lenses to compound or multiply the level of magnification. The first lens is the objective lens and the second lens is known as the eyepiece lens.

Which lens is used in the compound microscope?

A compound microscope is a high-magnification microscope that uses two lenses to compound or multiply the level of magnification. The first lens is the objective lens and the second lens is known as the eyepiece lens.

8 thoughts on “Complete Guide to Compound Microscope [updated]

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    Cheers!!

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