What is the Functionality of Compound Microscope?
The Compound Microscope is a special microscope that features two sets of high-resolution lenses that can provide a 2-dimensional image of the sample. And because of two lenses in this microscope, it is called a compound microscope. Moreover, based on these microscopes' purpose, they are differentiated into multiple types, such as Metallurgical Microscopes, Fluorescence microscopes, Phase Contract Microscopes, and Polarizing microscopes.
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.
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.