Procedure for Using a Compound Microscope

• Compound microscopes can be challenging to use at first and require a bit of practice to produce clear images. It all starts with a well prepared specimen. By following the procedure outlined below, you will soon be getting great results.

• Cut a very thin slice of the sample to be viewed. Cut a very thin slice of the sample to be viewed. Cut a very thin slice of the sample to be viewed. Cut a very thin slice of the sample to be viewed. Cut a very thin slice of the sample to be viewed.

• Place the specimen on a microscope slide.

• Place one or two drops of water on the specimen.

• Gently place a cover slip on the specimen, lowering one side first, then the other. Use a piece of tissue or blotting paper to absorb any excess water that may have spilled out from under the cover slip.

• Place the slide on the stage and secure it in place with the stage clips.

• Select the objective lens with the lowest magnification by rotating the nosepiece.

• Turn on the lamp.

• Use the stage controls to move the slide so that the specimen is directly under the objective lens.

• Adjust the coarse focus knob until the specimen comes into focus.

• * The coarse focus moves the stage up and down. Be very careful not to move the stage up too high that it collides with the objective lens.

• Adjust the fine focus knob to optimise the focus.

• Select a higher magnification objective lens if desired. You may have to readjust the fine focus.

Preparing a good specimen slide takes a bit of practice.

(Images: Witia, Wikimedia Commons)