1. What is resolving power? How do you achieve maximum resolution?

Resolving power definition, the ability of an optical device to produce separate images of
close objects. To achieve the maximum resolution, each of the optical components should
be of the highest NA available (taking into consideration the angular aperture). In
addition, using a shorter wavelength of light to view the specimen will increase the
resolution (Wilson, 2016).

2. Give and describe four optical properties of lenses.

Optical properties of the lenses gives effect to medium whenever light or any
electromagnetic radiation was pass through the lenses. The four optical properties of
lenses are as follows;
• Absorption-one of the properties of a spectacle lenses is the ability to absorb
electromagnetic waves (UV, visible, magnetic) depending on whether the lense is colored
or not. This property can be viewed as filters since they absorbed harmful waves and
protect our eyes from danger.
• Scattering of light- The property whereby rays of light emanating from one focus are
reflected and form a strip of light to the different points or locations.
• Refraction- refers to the property that refracts light to form an image. As a ray of light
enters a lens, it is refracted; and as the same ray of light exits the lens, it is refracted
again. The net effect of the refraction of light at these two boundaries is that the light ray
has changed directions. Because of the special geometric shape of a lens, the light rays
are refracted such that they form images.
• Polarization- is the property by which light waves with the same orientation as the filter
are absorbed by the molecules' vibrations, thereby reducing the intensity of the light
passing through the filter.

3. Why do compound microscopes invert the images?

The reason compound microscopes invert images lies in the focal length of the objective
lens. The image focused by the lens crosses before the eyepiece further magnifies what
the observer sees, and the objective lens inverts the image because of the lens' curvature.

4. What is the principle behind the use of immersion oil for the oil immersion objective?
Light bends when it passes from a material of one refractive index to a material of
another. When light bends at different angles, magnified images become less distinct.
This principle applies in using a “dry” objectives. However, dropping immersion oil
helps in eliminating the refractive surfaces of the glass between the cover slip and the oil
immersion objective lens so that greater magnifications can be achieved while preserving
good resolution

References:
Wilson, M. (2016). Microscope Resolution: Concepts, Factors and Calculation. Retrieved from
leica-microsystems.com/science-lab/microscope-resolution-concepts-factors-and-calculation/.

Bahrami, M., & Uisugi, K. (2014). Optical properties of the lens: An explanation for the zones of
discontinuity, 124, 93–99. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2014.05.009

Caprette, D. R. (2012). Microscopy with Oil Immersion. Retrieved from

https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/methods/microscopy/oilimm.html

Ford, B. J., & Shannon, R. R. (2019, November 14). The theory of image formation. Retrieved
from https://www.britannica.com/technology/microscope/The-theory-of-image-formation