LAB #14 – Using a Microscope

A microscope is an instrument to see objects too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy.  Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope.  There are many types of microscopes, the most common and first to be invented is the optical microscope which uses light to image the sample.

Problem

      How can we tell the difference between salt and sugar?

Hypothesis

Materials

Microscope

Salt

Sugar

Celery leaves

Various slides

  

Procedure

1.             Make observations of salt and sugar at different degrees of magnification. 

2.             Make observations of celery leaves at different degrees of magnification.

3.                                 Make observations of various slides at different degrees of magnification.

Results

	Observations with no magnification
Salt		Sugar

	Observations at 40X magnification
Salt		Sugar

	Observations at 100X magnification
Salt		Sugar

	Observations with no magnification
Celery leaves	Human hair	fingernail

	Observations of various objects with 40X magnification
Celery leaves	Human hair	fingernail

	Observations of various objects at 100 X magnification
Celery leaves

	Observations of various objects at 100X magnification
Celery leaves

 Analysis

1.         How did the microscope assist you in visualizing the various objects?

2.         Why does the microscope stage have a hole in it?

3.         Which parts of the microscope enlarge the image of the specimen?

4.         If the specimen appears blurry, what should you do first?

5.         Describe the correct way to carry a microscope.

    

 Conclusion

1. Label the following parts of the microscope:

1.          Eyepiece lens

2.          Coarse Focus

3.          Fine Focus

4.          Objective lens

5.          Arm

6.          Stage

7.          Base