Magnification of Light Microscope

Introduction:
The light microscope, also referred to as a optical microscope, is a type of microscope that commonly uses visible light and a system of lenses to
generate magnified images of small objects. The objective lenses on a compound light microscope does have powers that start of as 4x on the smallest
power, 10x on the middle power setting and 40x on the maximum power setting. This means that the object can be magnified either, 40x, 100x or
400x. Throughout the development of light microscope magnification of light has increased, but very high magnifications are not possible. The
maximum magnification with a light microscope is around ×1500.

Principle of magnification in microscope Total Magnification of microscope

Light microscope magnifies the size of the object
by a complex system of lens arrangement. It has a
series of two lenses; the objective lens close to the
object to be observed and,the ocular lens or
eyepiece.
How to determine the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION of your
microscope:
a. This is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the
Eyepiece(10x) by the magnification of the Objective lens that
you are using(4x, 10x, or 40x).

Total Magnification = Eyepiece Magnification(10x) × Objective

Lens Power
Example: You are looking at a specimen through your
LOW Power Lens Total Magnification = (10x) × (4x) = 40x

Light from a light source (mirror or electric lamp)

passes through a thin transparent object(Figure4.4)

The objective lens produces a magnified ‘real image’
first image) of the object
This image is again magnified by the ocular lens
(eyepiece) to obtain a magnified ‘virtual image’
(final image)
Magnification of Image (solving magnification problems and
the relative sizes of object e.g. a cell and its observed image in a
microscope.)
The formula 'triangle' for magnification is shown below:

Importance of Magnification

 For light microscopes, the higher the

magnification, the closer the lens must be
positioned to the object being observed.
 If the lens gets too close, it may crash into the
specimen, destroying the slide or specimen and
possibly damaging the lens, so exercise great
care when using magnifications over 100x.

Conclusion:
In a nutshell, light microscope clearly is the high-
powered tool for understanding the structure and
function of tissues. On the other hand, magnification
Team Members: refers to the process of enlarging the apparent size and
1.Kvoosik A/L Narayanan (E20181020668) not the physical size of something It also commonly
used in biomedical science courses, research and
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diagnostic laboratories.
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6.Muhamad Amirul Shah Bin Jaafar (E20182022993)