I am sure you must be aware of a microscope. People usually refer to it as a device that is used in labs to view objects from different angles. Bringing all your understanding together, a microscope is an optical device used to image a very minute object into the human eye. Initially, the microscope had two basic features which enabled the production of a larger image of the object placed under for a human eye to observe. The design has evolved over time and now a microscope can incorporate multiple lenses, filters, sensors, and a lot of other objectives. Wondering how many objectives does the microscope have or how many lens are there in the microscope? Let’s find out.
1. How many Lenses are in an Objective?
Objective, as the word suggests, it does not mean the purpose of the microscope. The objective lens is the most difficult component of the microscope to design and accumulate. It is the first element that encounters light as it proceeds from the specimen to the image plane. It derives its name from the fact that with respect to proximity, it is the closest component to an object. It helps in magnifying the images. There are 3 to 4 objective lenses with different magnification powers. (See What are Ocular Lens Microscope Function?)
2. How many Lens are there in the Microscope?
Having talked about the lenses in an objective, what question certainly should arise is how many lenses are there in a microscope. In a typical microscope, there are usually 3 to 4 lenses with different powers attached to a microscope. (See How does a magnifying glass work?)
3. What are 12 Parts of a Microscope?
Having been existing since the 16th century, the microscope has evolved and has revolutionized science, and being able to magnify smaller objects. The optical parts of a microscope make it possible to view, magnify and produce an image from the specimen slide. The parts include:
- Eyepiece or the Ocular lens: Found at the top of the microscope, it is used to look through the microscope. It has a standard magnification of 10x and an optional eyepiece has magnifications from 5x to 30x.
- Eyepiece tube: Also known as the body tube, it is the eyepiece holder. It holds the eyepiece above the lens. In some microscopes like binoculars, these are flexible and can be rotated but in monoculars, these are non-flexible.
- Objective lenses: These are the major lenses used for viewing the specimen. Their magnification power starts from 4x and goes up to 100x. So, how many objectives does the microscope have? There are about 1 to 4 (mostly 3) objective lenses on a microscope, each with different magnifications.
- Nosepiece: It is a piece of equipment that holds the objective lens and it contains 3 lenses in it.
- The Adjustment knobs: Used for the focusing purpose in the microscope, they come in 2 types- fine adjustment knobs and coarse adjustment knobs.
- Stage: This is the area where the specimen is placed for viewing. There are stage clips to hold the specimen slides. The most common stage is the mechanical stage which controls the slides by using mechanical knobs instead of doing them manually.
- Aperture: It is a hole in the microscopic stage through which the light transmitted from the source reaches the stage.
- Microscopic illuminator: It is located at the base, and used to provide high-intensity light. Used instead of a mirror, it captures light from an external source.
- Condenser: These lenses collect and focus light from an illuminator into the specimen. They ensure clear and sharp images are produced with high magnification of 400x and above.
- Diaphragm: Also known as the Iris diaphragm, its primary function is to control the amount of light that reaches the specimen.
- Condenser focus knob: This knob controls the focus of light on the specimen by moving the condenser up or down.
- Abbe Condenser: Specially designed for high-quality microscopes, the condenser is movable and allows very high magnification above 400x.
- Rack stop: It is responsible for preventing the specimen slide from coming too far up and hitting the objective lens.
4. What is the Objective of Using Microscope?
Objectives are referred to as the most complex component of a microscope. On the other hand, we use a microscope as its magnification ranges from 2x to 200x hence, to provide magnified and real images. (See How does a digital camera work?)
5. What are the 3 Lenses on a Microscope?
While understanding how many objectives does the microscope have, let us explain in depth the 3 lenses. Let us see what are the 3 lenses on a microscope which enhance the microscopic experience. Three lenses that make the microscopic experience an absolute delight are the eyepiece lens, the condenser lens, and the objective lens. (See What Does 3D Mean?)
6. How many Objectives does the Microscope have?
In terms of the objective lenses, one might wonder how many objectives does the microscope have? A microscope has 3 to 4 lenses with different magnification powers. Their magnification is mostly found in 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x in power. (See Test to see if you need glasses)
7. What are the 3 Types of Objectives in a Microscope?
We previously learned that there are 3 objective lenses, here let’s find out what the 3 types of objectives in a microscope are. Under broad categories, the objective lenses include:
- Low magnification objectives (5x and 10x),
- Intermediate magnification objectives (20x and 50x), and
- High magnification objectives (100x).
8. How many Objectives does a Compound Microscope have?
The biological microscope is also its other name. The objective in a compound microscope is located closest to the object and communicates the real image of the object to the eyepiece. It uses two separate optical paths and consists of two objective lenses and two eyepieces. (See How Does an X ray Machine Work?)
9. What is the Total Magnification at 4x 10x and 40x?
Let’s understand the concept of total magnification. The total magnification is calculated by multiplying the objective lens with the ocular lens. If the objective magnifications are 4x, 10x, and 40x and the ocular magnification is 10x, then the total magnification would be 40x, 100x, and 400x respectively.
This article majorly discussed how many objectives does the microscope have, and the types of lenses used in a microscope. We also discussed in detail the 12 parts of a microscope to make you understand better the importance of objective lenses. We hope this article was a boon to your knowledge and you were satisfied with the answers. (Also read What is the Total Magnification of 40X?)
