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When a microscope is used with a very high magnification objective the image can be spoiled by the number of refractions as light goes from one medium to another (glass to air, for example). In order to help this a drop of special oil is placed on the slide cover slip and the bottom of the objective lens dips into the oil. The oil has the same refractive index as the glass used in cover slips and the bottom lens in the objective so there is no refraction as the light passes from glass to oil and back to glass. The objective is designed to give the best image with the oil.

The refractive index of water is not the same as that of the oil, so the correction would not be right and the objective would not give the best possible image.

I would also be a little wary of using water in case it damages the objective. It may be oil-proof, but that doesn't guarantee it is waterproof.this will lead to poor focusing.

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13y ago

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