To calculate the low power magnification of a microscope, simply multiply the magnification of the eyepiece (ocular lens) by the magnification of the low power objective lens.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding Microscope Magnification
A microscope uses a combination of lenses to magnify a small object, making it visible to the human eye. The total magnification is determined by the eyepiece (what you look through) and the objective lens (the lens closest to the specimen).
The Formula
The formula for calculating total magnification is:
Total Magnification = Eyepiece Magnification × Objective Lens Magnification
Calculating Low Power Magnification
- Identify the Eyepiece Magnification: The eyepiece magnification is usually printed on the eyepiece itself (e.g., 10x, 15x).
- Identify the Low Power Objective Magnification: Microscopes typically have multiple objective lenses. The magnification is usually printed on each objective lens (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x). Locate the low-power objective, which will have the lowest magnification of all objective lenses.
- Multiply: Multiply the eyepiece magnification by the low power objective lens magnification.
Example
Let's say your microscope has:
- An eyepiece with a magnification of 10x
- A low-power objective lens with a magnification of 4x
Then, the low power magnification is calculated as:
Total Magnification = 10x (eyepiece) * 4x (objective) = 40x
Therefore, the low power magnification of the microscope is 40x.
Importance of Magnification
Understanding magnification is crucial for properly viewing and analyzing specimens under a microscope. It allows you to choose the appropriate objective lens to observe structures at the desired level of detail. Low power magnification is useful for initially locating the specimen and observing its overall structure.
