Question

1. List two ways that a dissecting microscope differs from a compound microscope.
2. Which microscope, the compound light or the dissecting microscope has a lower magnification?
3. Describe how and with what you are to clean the lens of the microscope.
4. List four things that you are to do when you are finished using the microscope at the end of lab.

Answer 1

Microscopes are instruments that enable to see the objects that are too small to to be seen using naked eyes. There are different types of microscopes like compound microscope, scanning electron microscope, dissection microscope etc.

Q1) Difference between dissection microscope and scanning microscope

1. Dissection microscopes has lower power of magnification as compared to compound microscope. The magnification of dissection microscope will be below 70x whereas the magnification of compound microscope ranges from 40x to 1000x.

2.Compound microscopes have higher optical resolution than dissection microscope. Therefore, compound microscope is used to view very finer details of the specimen. Whereas dissection microscope is used to view larger and opaque surfaces of the specimen.

3. Compound microscope mainly produces two dimensional images whereas dissection microscope produces three dimensional images.

4. Dissection microscope have a large working space of 25 to 15 millimeters, whereas compound microscope have lesser working space varies from 0.14 to 4 millimeters.

Q2) Which microscope, the compound light or the dissecting microscope has a lower magnification?

Dissection microscopes has lower power of magnification as compared to compound microscope. The magnification of dissection microscope will be below 70x whereas the magnification of compound microscope ranges from 40x to 1000x.

Q3) Describe how and with what you are to clean the lens of the microscope.

Cleaning of microscope lens should be done with atmos care. For removing the loose dust, compressed air or a stream of air  can be used thereby the damages to the microscope optics can be reduced. When removing the dirt from the lens, always use a lint-free cotton swab or tissue paper and never clean the lens with micro fibre cloth or paper as it may cause scratches on the lens surface. The lens can be cleaned using lint-free cotton swab dipped in a lens cleaning solution, isopropyl alcohol or sterile distilled water.  It is advisable to avoid acetone for cleaning the lens as acetone may damages to the plastic components of the microscope.

Q4) List four things that you are to do when you are finished using the microscope at the end of lab.

1. Lower the stage of the microscope and remove the slide from the stage.

2. Clean the objective lenses using lens-cleaning solution and lint-free swab or lint-free tissue paper.

3. Center the stage and make sure that it is not projecting on either sides and wrap the cord of the microscope under the stage.

4. Cover the microscope and return the microscope by carrying it with both the hands.