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Proper use of a compound microscope requires care of the instrument, knowledge of its parts, and adjustment of the light source. Starting with the lowest magnification objective and adjusting the coarse focus before the fine focus is also important.
There are a few things people should keep in mind in order to properly view specimens and slides under a compound microscope. First, the microscope itself must be properly cared for so that the lens and moving parts are not damaged. Understanding how the microscope works and knowing which knobs control which parts of the microscope is also important in using the compound microscope so that a user can adjust the focus and slide smoothly.
The first step in successful compound microscope use is to place the microscope on a sturdy table or counter. If the table vibrates as the user looks through the microscope, it will be difficult to focus the slide properly. Once the microscope is in place, a slide can be placed on the stage and the objective positioned. When examining a slide for the first time, it is much easier to start with the lowest magnification objective so that the specimen can be centered before using higher magnification.
Another tip for compound microscope use is to adjust the light source, if possible, to be bright but not so bright that it hurts the user’s eyes. The brighter the light source, the easier it is to view a slide. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of keeping both eyes open when looking into a compound microscope, even if there’s only one eyepiece to keep your eyes from straining.
When focusing a compound microscope, the coarse focus must be adjusted before the fine focus. Coarse focus moves the stage up and down a substantial amount, while fine focus moves it only slightly. When adjusting the stage height, the user must be careful not to allow the slide to contact the objective. In proper use of the compound microscope, the specimen is focused at the lowest magnification and before using a higher magnification.
Knowing what each of the parts of the microscope does is also important in using the compound microscope. A user who knows where to find the coarse and fine touch focus knobs will be able to make adjustments without losing sight of the sample, an important skill when observing living or moving organisms. It is also important to understand how to move the slide if it needs to be adjusted because the image seen under the microscope is both inverted and upside down.
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