Microscope
Microscopes are used to observe objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They typically consist of a combination of lenses that magnify the image of the specimen being observed. Microscopes are crucial tools in fields like biology, medicine, and materials science. Common types include optical microscopes, and electron microscopes. While electron microscope uses electron beam to illuminate objects, optical microscope uses visible light to illuminate object. Here, we will read in detail about optical microscope.
Parts of Microscope
The main parts of microscope are
- Eyepiece
- Objective Lens
- Stage
- Stage Clips
- Condenser
- Illuminator
- Diaphragm
- Controlling Knobs
Working of Microscope
The working principle of a microscope involves the manipulation of light and lenses to magnify and observe tiny objects or details that are not visible to the naked eye. First step is to illuminate the specimen being observed. Then knob is adjusted for coarse focus and then adjusted for fine focus. The user looks through the eyepiece and observes the magnified image of the specimen.
Types of Microscope
Following are the two types of microscope
- Simple Microscope
- Compound Microscope
Simple Microscope
The simple microscope is another optical tool whose primary purpose is to allow us to see small objects. A basic microscope consists of a convex lens that allows us to magnify small objects. Simple microscopes are commonly used by biologists, in educational settings, such as classrooms, by Hobbyists, collectors etc.
Compound Microscope
A compound microscope gets its name from the fact that it uses two convex lenses to see extremely minute things such as bacteria. An eyepiece, an objective lens, and an adjective screw make up this device. It allows users to change the focal length depending on what they’re looking at.
Electron Microscope
An electron microscope is a type of microscope that uses a beam of accelerated electrons to illuminate a specimen instead of light, as in optical microscopes. Electron microscopes have much higher resolution and magnification capabilities compared to traditional light microscopes, making them essential tools for studying the fine details of objects at the nanoscale level.
Electron microscopes are widely used in various scientific fields, including materials science, biology, nanotechnology, and medicine, to study the structure and properties of materials and biological specimens at the atomic and molecular levels.
Optical Instruments
Optical instruments are devices designed to manipulate and detect light for various purposes, ranging from imaging to measurement and analysis. They utilize the principles of optics, which is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior and properties of light.
In this article, we will study about optical instruments, different types of optical instruments such as eye, lens, microscope, telescope, periscope, and kaleidoscope, and their working.
Table of Content
- What are Optical Instruments?
- Different Types of Optical Instruments
- Eye
- Lens
- Microscope
- Magnifying glass
- Telescopes