Simple microscope

A simple microscope or a magnifying glass is an optical device used to

obtain magnification of small objects for better clarity of vision.
A magnifying glass or microscope is an instrument used for looking at
objects close to the eye and the image is usually formed at the least distance
of distinct vision (D) from the eye. This is also called the near point.
It is a convex lens of short focal length mounted in a lens holder. To obtain
magnification, it is placed at a small distance from the object and virtual
image is formed.
It is used to see very small letters and figures, by watchmakers, etc.
ANGULAR MAGNIFICATION OR MAGNIFYING POWER, M
It is defined as the ratio of angle subtended by the final image to the angle
subtended by the object when placed at least distance of distinct vision1, D.
a) Magnifying power of a simple microscope in normal adjustment

From figure 1,
A' B ' AB
tan    (1)
B' O B' O
AB
tan   (2)
B' O
From (1) and (2), we can calculate the angular magnification M as follows:
AB
 B' O D
M   BO   (3)
 AB BO u
B' O

1
Least distance of distinct vision: is the shortest distance from the eye at an which an object appears
distinct, i.e. a very clear image of the object is formed.

1
From lens formula:
1 1 1 1 1 1
  ,  
f u v u f v
Since the image is at the near point (least distance of distinct vision), the
image distance v is equal to  D (negative for virtual image).
1 1 1 D f
  
u f D Df
From equation (3),

D f  D
M  D    1 (4)
 Df  f
b) Magnifying power of simple microscope when not in normal
adjustment
Without derivation, it is given by:
D
M (5)
f
THE COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
The compound microscope is used to detect small objects. In daily life,
microscopes are used in hospitals, in biology laboratories, etc.
Image formation in a compound microscope

2
An objective lens L1 forms a real magnified image I, of an object O just placed
outside its principal focus F0. I1 is formed just inside the principal focus Fe of
the eye piece L2, which acts as a magnifying glass and produces a magnified,
virtual image I2 of I1.
Compound microscope in normal adjustment (normal use)
When the eyes are relaxed, the image is at the near point and the compound
microscope is said to be in normal adjustment. The compound microscope is
in normal adjustment when the final image is formed at the near point (least
distance of distinct vision), D of the eye.
Angular magnification (magnifying power) of a compound microscope
The magnifying power of a compound microscope is the ratio of the angle
subtended by the final image to the eye when the microscope is used to the
angle subtended by the object the unaided eye.
Angular magnification of a compound microscope in normal use
When a microscope is in normal use, the image I2 is formed at the least
distance of distinct vision, D from the eye. Thus v = D.

Consider an object of height h at a given distance slightly greater than the

focal length of the objective lens.
Suppose that the final image has a height h2 and is formed at a distance v
from

3
the eye piece and that it subtends an angle β to the eye.

From the figure,

Supposing that the eye is very close to the eye piece, β is very small and tan β
≈β

Hence

Now suppose that the object subtends an angle of α when placed at the near
point, D, when viewed by a naked eye.

From the figure,

For α small,

Hence, the angular magnification (magnifying power) is given by:

Introducing the height of image due to the objective, h1.

4
But , me of image due to eyepiece and linear

magnification , m0 of image due to objective lens

It follows that M = linear magnification due to eyepiece lens x linear
magnification due to objective
Thus

We have already seen that linear magnification is also given by ,

where v is the image distance from the lens and f is the focal length.

It follows that linear magnification due to the objective lens, , and

that due to the eye piece, .

Therefore,

Since , the Image formed by the eye piece is virtual).

Hence,

From the above expression, it can therefore be seen that if and fe are small, M
becomes large. So the angular magnification M can be made high if the focal
lengths of the objective and eye piece are both small.
Angular magnification of a compound microscope when not in normal
use:
We have already seen that when a microscope is not in normal adjustment,
the final image is formed at infinity i.e v = ∞

5
6
TELESCOPE
A telescope is an instrument that is used to view distant objects.. In a simple
telescope two lenses are used, objective lens and eyepiece lens. A parallel
beam of light is focused by the objective lens of a telescope and then light
passes through an eyepiece forming a magnified image.

It consists of two converging lenses placed coaxially. The one facing the
distant object is called the objective and has a large aperture and a large focal
length. The other is called the eyepiece, as the eye is placed close to it. It has
a smaller aperture and a smaller focal length. The lenses are fixed in tubes.
The eyepiece tube can slide within the objective tube so that the separation
between the objective and the eyepiece may be changed.
When the telescope is directed towards a distant object PQ , the objective
forms a real image of the object in its focal plane. If the point P is on the
principal axis, the image point PP is at the second focus of the objective. The

rays coming from Q are focused at Q ' . The eyepiece forms a magnified virtual
image P ' ' Q ' ' of P 'Q ' . This image is finally seen by the eye. In normal
adjustment, the position is so adjusted that the final image is formed at
infinity. In such a case, the first image P 'Q ' is formed in the first focal plane
of the eyepiece. The eye is least strained to focus this final image. The image
can be brought closer by pushing the eyepiece closer to the first image.
Maximum angular magnification is produced when the final image is formed

7
at the near point.

Suppose, the objective and the eyepiece have focal

lengths f o and f e respectively and the object is situated at a large distance u 0

from the objective. The object PQ in figure subtends an angle  on the

objective. Since the object is far away, the angle it would subtend on the eye,
if there were no telescope, is also essentially .
As u o is very large, the first image P 'Q ' is formed in the focal plane of the

objective.
From the figure

8
Note: In order to have a larger magnification of the telescope focal length of
the objective should be as large as practically possible and the focal length of
the eyepiece should be as small as possible. The image is formed at infinity in

9
normal adjustment. Both lenses should be the converging lens. Image of an
object is always inverted with respect to the object formed by an astronomical
telescope. We all know that heavenly bodies are usually spherical in shape
therefore it does not matter whether the image formed by an astronomical
telescope is inverted or not.

10