I.

Parts of the Light Microscope:

A. Base
B. Arm
C. Stage
D. Coarse adjustment knob
E. Fine adjustment knob
F. Condenser
G. Iris diaphragm
H. Nosepiece
I. Objectives
1. Scanning objective: 4X
2. Low power objective: 10X
3. High Power objective: 40X or 43X
4. Oil Immersion objective: 100X
J. Stage control knobs
K. Ocular (eyepiece): 10X
VIII. Total Magnification
A. To calculate the Total Magnification, multiply the power of the ocular (10X)
times the power of the objective being used (4X, 10X, 40X (or 43X) or 100X)
B. Example: the total magnification using the Scanning objective is 40 (10X x 4)
IX. Focusing:
A. Center the slide on the stage so that the specimen is directly over the light
coming through the hole in the stage.
B. Rotate the nosepiece so that the 4X objective is over the specimen.
C. Look through the ocular, adjust the light using the iris diaphragm.
D. Focus using the coarse adjustment knob, then the fine adjustment knob.

E. To increase magnification, center the part of the specimen you want to enlarge
in the center of the field. Rotate the nosepiece to the next power objective.
Focus using only the fine adjustment knob. Adjust the light as needed.
F. DO NOT USE THE COARSE ADJUSTMENT KNOB WITH THE HIGH
POWER OBJECTIVE! These objectives are long enough to crack the slide on
the stage or crack the objective lens.
G. Do not use the oil immersion lens.
X. Safe transport of the light microscope will be demonstrated by your instructor.
A. Carry the microscope with 2 hands, one supporting the base and one hand
grasping the arm.
B. Before returning the microscope to the cabinet:
1. Move the stage to its lowest position
2. Move the shortest objective (scanning objective) over the hole in the
stage.