4
CHECK IT OUT
In your microscope, the role of the water
drops from first experiment is assumed by
convex plastic disks known as optical
lenses, located in the eyepiece and lower
down in the nosepiece. Lenses magnify the
objects that you place on the stage for
examination, so they are the most
important components in your microscope.
Handle them with care. If dust has collected
on one of the lenses, wipe it off carefully
with a soft, dry cloth.
Your Microscope’s
Lenses
CAUTION!
Never touch the lenses with you
r
fingers, and be careful not to let t
he lens in the
eyepiece or nosepiece bump again
st other objects.
Dirtied or scratched lenses will n
ot produce a sharp
image!
Eyepiece lens
Eye
Light source
Actual intermediat
e
image plane
Intermediate lens
Objective lens
Slide
Stage
Diaphragm
Apparent
image plane
TIP!
Do not use a c
leaning
solution for cle
aning
your microsco
pe, since it
might damage s
ome of
the componen
t parts.
Ideally, hold o
nto the
microscope by t
he stand
or the base on
ly.
