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MICROSCOPES
Teacher Corner -Lesson 2

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LESSON  2.  Optics

Objective:  Students learn how reflected and transmitted light microscopes work.

Materials:

worksheet
transmitted light microscope

r
eflected light microscope

 

Teacher Notes:

The study of lenses and light is called optics. Students will discover how images can be controlled by lenses to help observe small things. A microscope uses the physics of optics to allow us to see small things our eyes cannot detect. This activity has students discover how images are formed. You should go over the parts of the microscope together.  This depends on the microscopes that you have available.  

Set up the lab so students learn to focus an object under the microscope.  The first exercise has them focus on a piece of paper.  They should observe that the object is upside down and much smaller.  The best way to do exercise is to have the students face a window and create an image on the paper.  

Students should learn that there is a set distance to focus an object whether it is the reflecting microscope or transmitting light microscope. 

ANSWERS:

Exercise I.  Depends on the microscopes you are using and lenses

Exercise II.

  1. depends on the microscopes
     

  2. adjustment mechanisms - an apparatus that moves the optic tube up and down to focus on the specimen
    arm
    - portion of microscope that connects the body to the base
    base - a stable bottom for the microscope to stand upright
    condenser -   controls the amount of light that goes through a slide, only in transmitting light microscope
    eyepiece - lenses at the viewing end of a microscope or telescope
    objective - lens at the end of a microscope nearest the object
    optic tube - a long cylindrical tube that moves up and down to focus on a specimen
    stage - a platform on top of the base of the microscope on which specimen are placed
     

  3. Multiply the eyepiece by the objective

Exercise III.  The e will be backwards and inverted on both transmitting and reflecting microscopes

Exercise IV.  Depends on objects, but the higher the magnification the closer you are to the object

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