Introduction to Compound Microscope
A compound microscope is a type of microscope that uses one or more than one lenses to display image. A compound microscope is basically an upright microscope. Furthermore, this microscope uses two sets of lenses.
This microscope provides an image that is two-dimensional. It is an instrument that we use to magnify and view small microorganisms that we cannot see with our naked eye. Furthermore, we store these small objects on a glass slide.
 
Structure of Compound microscope
Eyepiece- It is the lens at the top of the microscope that helps in looking at the object. In addition, its power is 10x or 15x (10 times or 15 times).
Tube- It is the structure that connects the eyepiece to the objective lens.
Arm- It connects the base to the tube of the microscope.
Base- It is the bottom of the objective lens.
Illuminator- We use it in place of a mirror as a light source. Also, it reflects the light.
Stage- It refers to the place where we keep the slide. Moreover, you can turn the slide around in the microscope.
Turret- It is the piece that holds two or more lens. Furthermore, we can adjust them to change magnification (power).
Objective lens- There is usually 3 or 4 objective lens in the microscope that has different powers. Also, they can magnify objects to a good resolution.
Rack stop- This adjuster determines how close the objective lens can get to the slide. Most noteworthy, it saves the lens and slide from damages.
Condenser lens- The main purpose of these lenses is to focus light on the specimen. Besides, they are more useful at high powers.
Iris or Diaphragm- This is a rotating disk under the stage. Also, there are different size holes present in it that we use to adjust the size and intensity of the cone of light projected towards the slide. Besides, there is no set rule for its use as it depends on the specimen’s transparency and the degree of contrast you desire.
Compound Microscope Lenses
This system of objective lens uses a small focal length or distance, the distance between the specimen and lens being examined. Furthermore, the objective lens projects the real image of the specimen by creating an intermediate image from the light instance on the lens that is predictable onto the objective primary image plane (conjugate image plane).
Besides, altering the objective lens magnification or power will also alter how the image is mounted up in this projection. Most noteworthy, within the microscope body the optical tube length refers to the distance of the back focal plane to the objective to the primary image plane.
Also, the primary image plane is within the eyepiece or within the microscope body. Furthermore, the person using the microscope can see the real image by putting her/his eye on the ocular lens. Besides, the simple function of the ocular lens is to perform this task.
Moreover, it shows how the two lenses of the compound microscope system work one after another.
Most noteworthy, this compound lens system helps scientists and researchers create and study specimen at much higher magnification that they could only generate with one microscope.
In addition, if you try to obtain these magnification results with the single-lens microscope. Then you have to either use a very wide lens or have to place the lens very close to your eye.
Solved Question for You
Question. How many lenses are there in an objective lens?
A. 3 to 4
B. 4 to 5
C. 2 to 3
D. 1 to 4
Answer. The correct answer is option A. Generally there are 3 to 4 lenses in a compound microscope. Moreover, all these lenses have different power (magnification).
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