Microscopes

Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons to create an image with higher magnification and resolution compared to light microscopes, which use visible light. Electron microscopes can visualize much smaller objects due to the shorter wavelength of electrons compared to light.

Adjusting the illuminating parts of a microscope is necessary to ensure proper contrast and brightness for viewing the specimen. It helps improve image quality by reducing glare and enhancing details. Adjusting the illumination can also help reveal specific structures and improve visibility.

The diaphragm, located beneath the stage of the microscope, adjusts the amount of light that passes through the specimen. By opening or closing the diaphragm, you can control the intensity of the light and improve visibility when observing specimens.

An acoustic microscope uses sound waves to produce high-resolution images of a material's internal structure by measuring variations in acoustic properties. The sound waves are focused on the material and the resulting echoes are analyzed to generate an image. This allows for non-destructive imaging of features that may not be visible with optical microscopes.

On high power, use the fine focus knob to make small adjustments to sharpen the image. The fine focus knob allows for precise focusing at higher magnifications without causing the stage to move too quickly. Avoid using the coarse focus knob at high power as it may result in overshooting the image and potentially damaging the lens or slide.

A course adjustment knob on a microscope moves the stage or objective lens in large increments, allowing you to quickly bring the sample into rough focus. It is used to initially focus on the specimen before using the fine adjustment knob for finer focusing.

to generate light, so the specimen can be examined (sends light through base, diaphragm, stage specimen, slide, objective lens, nose-piece, body, body tube, and eyepiece)

As magnification increases in a microscope, the field of view decreases. This is because at higher magnifications, the microscope is focusing on a smaller area of the specimen, resulting in a narrower field of view.

To change the magnification of a microscope, rotate the objective lens turret to switch to a different objective lens with a desired magnification level. You can also adjust the focus using the fine focus knob to ensure a clear image at the new magnification.

Using the coarse-adjustment knob with the high-power objective can result in the objective lens getting too close to the slide, potentially damaging the lens or slide. This can also lead to the objective lens hitting the slide, causing a loss of focus and potential damage to both the lens and the slide.

To calibrate the objective lens on a light microscope, use a stage micrometer slide with a known scale (e.g. 0.01 mm). Focus on the markings of the stage micrometer slide and measure the distance they cover in the field of view. Use this measurement to calculate the calibration factor for that specific objective lens.

The coarse focus knob raises and lowers the stage of a microscope quickly, while the fine focus knob is used for precise focusing.

Changing the diaphragm openings affects the depth of field in your photographs. A larger diaphragm opening (lower f-stop number) results in a shallower depth of field, which creates a more pronounced background blur. On the other hand, a smaller diaphragm opening (higher f-stop number) increases the depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.

Light microscopes use ordinary light (either reflected naturally or from an artificial source such as built-in illumination) in conjunction with very powerful optical lenses to view tiny objects that are not visible to the naked eye. But some extremely small objects, such as viruses, are too small to be seen even using light microscopes. Electron microscopes solve the problem by firing a beam of electrons on to the object to create an imprinted image, which is then magnified and viewed on a screen- we can't magnify the image of the object itself, but we can magnify the imprint of it made by a continuous bombardment of it by electron beams and get this copied from the screen. Electron microscopes were first developed by the Germans during WW2, possibly with the aim of developing biological weapons- the Allies captured the technology after the fall of Hitler and developed it for the benefit of all humankind.

The image will move upwards in the field of view when the slide is moved towards you. This is because the slide is physically closer to the objective lens, resulting in the object on the slide appearing to move in the opposite direction.

Chemicals used to make specimens visible under a microscope are called stains or dyes. Stains help enhance the contrast and highlight specific structures within the specimen, making them easier to visualize and analyze under the microscope.

The sub stage condenser on a microscope helps focus and concentrate the light onto the specimen, providing better illumination. It can be regulated by adjusting the height to control the amount of light passing through the specimen, as well as adjusting the aperture to control the quality and angle of the light.

The most important aspect of a good microscope is the quality of its lenses. High-quality lenses provide clear and sharp images with good resolution, enabling detailed observations of specimens. Other important aspects include magnification capabilities, illumination sources, and ergonomic design for comfortable use.

Adjusting the amount of light after changing objective lenses is necessary to maintain image brightness and contrast. Since each objective lens has different magnification levels, adjusting the light ensures that the image remains clear and properly illuminated for viewing. This adjustment helps optimize image quality and maintain accurate observations.

To change the magnification lens on a microscope, first, ensure that the microscope is turned off. Then, gently unscrew or detach the existing lens from the microscope. Carefully insert the new lens in its place and secure it in position. Finally, test the new lens by turning on the microscope and adjusting the focus as needed.

When you move the slide to the right under a microscope, the specimen on the slide will appear to move to the left in the field of view. This optical effect is due to the way light travels through the lenses of the microscope and is called the "opposite movement" phenomenon.

it is also known as the iris. It is located above the light source.

Microscope lenses should be cleaned using a specialized lens cleaning solution and a lens tissue or a clean, soft microfiber cloth. It's important to avoid using regular glass cleaner or tissues as they can damage the lens coatings. Gently wipe the lens in a circular motion to remove any dirt or debris.

The stage clips or slide holder hold the slides securely in place on the stage of a microscope.

This process is called calculating the field of view diameter on a microscope. It involves measuring the diameter of the field of view using a ruler and knowing the magnification of the objective lens to determine the actual size of objects viewed under the microscope.