Learning to Use a Microscope 

Name: ________________________ 
 
Introduction 
    "Micro" refers to tiny, "scope" refers to view or look at. 
Microscopes are tools used to enlarge images of small objects so 
as they can be studied. Microscopes range from a simple 
magnifying glass to the expensive electron microscope. The 
compound light microscope is the most common instrument used 
in education today. It is an instrument containing two lenses, 
which magnifies, and a variety of knobs to resolve (focus) the 
picture. It is a rather simple piece of equipment to understand 
and use. In this lab, we are going to learn the proper use and 
handling of the microscope. 
Objectives 
● Demonstrate the proper procedures used in correctly using 
the ​compound light microscope. 
● Develop a checklist to insure the proper handling of the 
microscope. 
 
1) Place your slide under the stage clips, and turn microscope to 
lowest magnification.  
 
2) Use ​coarse adjustment knob​ to find your object under the 
microscope.  
  
3) Place your slide in the centre of your ​microscope pointer​- the 
thin black line shown below.  
 
 
 
 
4) Use ​fine adjustment knob​ to focus image, and ​draw​ exactly 
what you see below- add detail as it will change depending on 
what magnification you are on.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5) Turn onto ​medium power​, use ​fine adjustment knob​ to focus 
image. Draw, in detail, what your “e” looks like now.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6) Turn to the ​highest magnification​ power, and draw what you 
can see under the lens. Draw it exactly how you see it under the 
microscope.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Analysis 
Look at the photo above and list what each part does on the 
microscope.  
a.     Eyepiece – 
 
 
b.     Body tube – 
   
 
c.     Objective lenses – 
 
 
d.     Stage – 
 
 
f.     Diaphragm – 
 
 
g.     Coarse adjustment  
h.     Fine adjustment – 
 
 
i.     Base – 
 
 
j.     Light source –