Although microscopes come in a variety of sizes, household and school microscopes usually use almost the same parts: the microscope leg, revolver, lens, and object table. Learning the basics for using a microscope will protect the tool and provide useful research.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Microscope Settings
Step 1. Clean a flat surface of dust that could potentially damage your microscope
Clean the area with a surface cleaner and a lint-free cloth, if necessary. Make sure that your table is located near a power outlet.
Step 2. Hold the microscope by the legs and arms of the microscope
Do not lift it just by holding the arm of the microscope.
Step 3. Place the microscope on the table
Plug the microscope into the socket.
Step 4. To get started, make sure that the microscope is on the lowest magnification power as it will be easier to focus your slide
Step 5. Place your microscope manual near you
Read carefully if you want to see instructions on how to use your model of microscope.
Part 2 of 3: Microscope Preparations
Step 1. Wash your hands if you haven't already
Step 2. Have a lint-free cloth nearby, which you can use to clean and hold the preparation
Step 3. To get started, use ready-made preparations
You can purchase these ready-made preparations at stores that sell laboratory supplies or use some of the preparations that come with your microscope. You will soon be able to make your own preparations.
Step 4. Place the slide on the microscope object table
Touch only the edges so you don't leave fingerprints on your clean slides.
Step 5. Clamp the slide with the 2 tongs on the object table
These metal or plastic clamps hold the slide in place so you can move your hand to focus the microscope.
Step 6. Turn on your microscope
The center of your slide should shine with a small circular light above it.
Part 3 of 3: Focusing the Microscope
Step 1. Adjust your eyepiece if you have two lenses
Rotate the eyepiece to find the correct distance between the eyes, or pupillary distance.
Take off your glasses if you wear glasses. You can use the microscope settings to focus objects according to your vision
Step 2. Begin focusing the objective lens with the lowest power
You may have 2 or 3 different objective lenses that you can rotate and change to magnify objects. You should start at 4x magnification and increase the magnification until the object is in focus.
The low-power objective lens gives you a broad view, and allows you to slowly focus on objects without losing sight of them. Starting with a high-power objective lens can make you unable to see objects or make you unable to see the whole object
Step 3. Focus the object using a larger coarser dial
This dial is the larger of the 2 dials on the sides of the microscope.
Step 4. Slide the slide to place it in the center of the object table, if needed
Keep in mind that magnification uses mirrors, so you will have to move the slide in the opposite direction on the object table to set it properly on your lens.
Step 5. Use a fine dial to better focus the slide
Step 6. Arrange the diaphragm under the object table
You can adjust the amount of light focused on the slide. Reducing the light may make things look clearer and less pale.
Step 7. Switch to a high-power objective only if you cannot focus on objects with a low-power objective
Not all high-power lenses are used for all preparations because some lenses can be focused too closely.
Only use a fine dial when using a high-power objective lens, such as the 100x lens option. Coarse dial may break the slide
Step 8. Loosen the rough player when you are done
Repeat the process with the new preparations to obtain the necessary exercise to be able to quickly examine preparations.
Step 9. Store the microscope in a dust cover to keep the object table and lens clean
Clean the lens only with the recommended solution and a lint-free cloth.