1. Using Microscopes

2. Microscope Rules Use both hands when carrying, one to hold the arm and one to support the base. Use both hands when carrying, one to hold the arm and one to support the base. Do not leave microscopes near the edge of benches. Do not leave microscopes near the edge of benches. Don’t touch the lenses with your fingers. Don’t touch the lenses with your fingers.

3. Parts of the microscope Coarse focus knob Fine focus knob Stage Barrel Objective lens Condenser Mirror Eyepiece lens

4. Parts of the microscope Eyepiece lens the part you look down and first magnification Objective lens this is the lens close to the object you are looking at and provides magnification. Coarse focus knob Brings things into focus Fine focus knob fine adjustment for focus of object Mirror to put light through the object you are looking at. Condenser controls how much light that can pass up through the microscope (under the stage). Stage where the object you want to look at sits.

5. Slide making Clean microscope slide with cloth or tissue (not your shirt!!) Clean microscope slide with cloth or tissue (not your shirt!!) Place your object in the centre of the slide. Place your object in the centre of the slide. Add a small drop of water (sometimes this drop is a special dye to stain the object). Add a small drop of water (sometimes this drop is a special dye to stain the object). Carefully lower a clean cover slip onto the object. (This is tricky but will help you see things better). Carefully lower a clean cover slip onto the object. (This is tricky but will help you see things better).

6. Do not touch cover slip once it is in position. Do not touch cover slip once it is in position. Do not drop the cover slip onto the slide or you trap air. Do not drop the cover slip onto the slide or you trap air. If there is water on top of the cover slip you will have to start again. If there is water on top of the cover slip you will have to start again. Study your slide under low power. Then move to high power. Study your slide under low power. Then move to high power.

7. Looking at a slide Set microscope up and ensure mirror is in the right place. Set microscope up and ensure mirror is in the right place. Position slide on stage. Position slide on stage. Make sure microscope is on lowest power (shortest lens). Make sure microscope is on lowest power (shortest lens). Position the object in the centre of field of view. Position the object in the centre of field of view. Slowly wind down to near the slide (don’t smash the slide!!). Slowly wind down to near the slide (don’t smash the slide!!). Coarse focus gently. Coarse focus gently. Fine focus to see detail. Fine focus to see detail. If the object is sharply focused under low power gently move to a higher power. If the object is sharply focused under low power gently move to a higher power. Readjust fine focus. Readjust fine focus.