Microscope Worksheet
The microscope is an important tool of research. Many of the things we take for granted today may
never have been discovered had it not been for the invention of the microscope. Invention and
discovery often depend on the tools available at the time.
There are different types of microscopes. A simple microscope is one with just one lens, such as a simple
magnifying glass. The type of microscope you will use is called a compound microscope because it
contains more than one lens. Microscopes are also named according to the number of eyepieces they
contain. If there is only one eyepiece to look through, it is a monocular microscope. Two eyepieces
results in a binocular microscope.
When using a microscope, always follow these rules:
1. Carry it was both hands – one on the arm and one on the base.
2. Keep it away from the edge of the lab table.
3. Clean the lens only with lens paper.
4. Use LOW POWER to find an object – there is a larger field of view.
5. Return to low power lens before putting it away and wrap the cord securely around it.
Besides the high and low power lenses, there is a third lens on the microscope which is found in the
eyepiece. The magnification of this lens is usually 10%.
The lens combinations can also be used to determine the total magnification. The formula used is:
Total Magnification = Eyepiece Magnification x Objective Lens Magnification
Calculate the lens magnifications of your microscope. Use 10x for low power and 40x for high power.
Total Low Power Magnification = __________ x___________ = ___________
Total High Power Magnification = __________ x___________ = ___________
*Use your textbook to complete the following questions:
1. The platform on which the slide is placed is called the ______________.
2. The two small wheels used to raise or lower the objective slightly to make the specimen more
distinct are called the ___________________.
3. The lens nearest the eye of the observer is called the _______________.
4. The name of the shortest set of lenses near the stage is the ___________________.
5. The name of the longest set of lenses near the stage is the ___________________.
6. The name of the part used to regulate the amount of light admitted to the object on the slide is
the ____________________.
7. The two large wheels used to raise or lower the objective when trying to locate a specimen for
rough focus are called the ____________________.
8. The heavy part of the microscope closest to the table is the __________________.
9. The part which is turned to change from one objective to another is the __________________.
10. What is the purpose of the stage clip on the microscope? ______________________________
11. How should you carry the microscope? _____________________________________________
12. What should be used to clean a microscope lens? _____________________________________
13. Which objective should be in place when you put the microscope away? __________________
14. Which objective should always be used in finding a specimen? ___________________________
15. To find the total magnification of your microscope, multiply the magnification of the
______________________ by the magnification of the ________________________.
16. What is the total magnification of a 10x eyepiece by a 10x objective? _____________
17. What is the total magnification of a 5x eyepiece by a 47x objective? ______________
18. What is the power of the objective if the eyepiece power is 10x and the total magnification is
1000x? ___________
19. What is the power of the eyepiece is the objective power is 50x and the total magnification is
400x? ___________
20. Explain the difference between a simple and a compound microscope.
21. Explain the difference between a monocular and a binocular microscope.
During this course, you will be making wet mount slides. A wet mount slide is a temporary
preparation made using a glass slide, a cover slip, and a drop of water.
Follow these steps in preparing a wet mount slide:
a. Geat a clean glass slide and place a very small piece of the object to be examined on it.
(Object should be thin enough for light to pass through.)
b. Place a drop or two of water over it. Do not flood the slide.
c. Place a clean plastic cover slip over the water. (Hold the cover slip at a 45 degree angle
and gently lower it over the water. Bubbles may be removed by a gentle tap on the
cover slip.)
d. Wash and dry the slide of cover slip before you put them away.
e. Before putting your microscope away, check to be sure you have not left the slide on it.
22. What is a wet mount slide?
23. Summarize in 3-4 short steps how to make a wet mount slide.
24. How should a cover slip be placed on a slide?
25. Does the thickness of the material be viewed under the microscope matter? Explain.