A compound microscope has two lenses.
Understanding the Compound Microscope Lens System
Compound microscopes are essential tools in many scientific fields, and their power comes from the combined effect of their multiple lenses. Here's a breakdown:
- Ocular Lens (Eyepiece): This lens is the one closest to your eye.
- Objective Lens: This lens is positioned close to the sample being observed.
Both lenses work together to magnify the image of the specimen.
How the Lenses Work Together
- The objective lens creates a magnified, real image of the specimen.
- This real image is then further magnified by the ocular lens.
- The viewer perceives a greatly enlarged virtual image.
Why Two Lenses?
The use of two lenses in a compound microscope allows for significantly greater magnification than would be possible with a single lens. This is crucial for viewing extremely small objects and detailed structures. The ocular and objective lenses are essential for the function of compound microscopes.
