A few weeks ago, me and a few friends conducted an experiment for our club, where we observed the process of mitosis under a microscope, an equipment used in the laboratory to create enlarged images of objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Although the experiment was a success, we had a little bit of troubles setting up the microscope and had to ask the lab assistant for help. This prompted me to write this blog entry on... how to use a microscope!
Steps:
1) Plug the cord and turn on the microscope.
2) Place a prepared slide (make sure to have put a cover slide on the top) with the object you want to observe on the stage of the microscope and keep it from moving with the stage clip.
3) Turn the objective lens, which magnifies the image of the object, so that it can be seen.
(Total magnification used=Eyepiece magnification*Objective lens magnification)
4) Turn the coarse adjustment knob to adjust the position of the stage before turning the fine adjustment knob to bring the specimen into focus.
5) The light intensity is controlled by the condenser. Brighter light usually results in a clearer image, but in a low power objective microscope, in which the image is shown in a lower magnification and so gives a wider field of view, the light intensity are typically lower.
6) Look into the eyepiece and observe the specimen. The lenses and the knobs can be adjusted for a better view.
7) When finished observing, the stage can be lowered and remove the slide.
Make sure to...
Carry the microscope with two hands and place it on a flat surface.
Not touch the glass part of the lenses when setting the microscope up and observing the specimen.
Not look straight into the light and turn the light off when the microscope is not in use.
Handle each equipment (and the slides) carefully.
Wear a lab coat (protective clothes).
Keep the microscope covered when not using it.
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