Microscope Optics: questions and calculations

In summary, the conversation discussed a problem involving a microscope experiment with given distances between the objective lens and object, and between the objective lens and eyepiece. Relevant equations were provided, including the thin lens formula and magnification formula. The conversation also touched upon the accuracy of calculations and the performance of the microscope in terms of magnification.
  • #1
member 731016
Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this problem,

Distance from objective to object ##𝑑𝑂 = 10.6cm##
Distance between the objective and eyepiece ##𝐷 = 34cm##

1683350352608.png


For (b) I got ##d_I = 26 cm## and ##M_1 = -2.4## which means that firsts image is inverted and real

For (c) I got ##dI' = 35 cm## and ##M_2 = -1.3##. However, I thought ##dI' < 0## since the second image is virtual and inverted from a ray diagram.

For (d)

I got ##M = M_1M_2 = 3.2## which is interesting since the finial image is inverted

Can someone please tell me whether I am correct and how to tell the second image is virtual without drawing a ray diagram?

Many thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hi, seems to me there is a lot missing:
Given information?
Relevant equations?
 
  • Like
Likes member 731016
  • #3
BvU said:
Hi, seems to me there is a lot missing:
Given information?
Relevant equations?
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

Distance from objective to object ## d_O = 10.6cm##
Distance between the objective and eyepiece ##D = 34cm##

Is the given information (the data collected from the experiment)

Relevant equation:
- thin lens formula ##\frac{1}{d_O} + \frac{1}{d_I} = \frac{1}{f}##
- Magnification formula ##M = -\frac{d_{O}}{d_I}##

Many thanks!
 
  • #4
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
 
  • Like
Likes member 731016 and berkeman
  • #5
BvU said:
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

Well it did in the labs! We used a 150 mm and 75 mm convex lens to make a microscope and adjusted the distances accordingly to get a clear image.

Many thanks!
 
  • #6
ChiralSuperfields said:
Well it did in the labs! We used a 150 mm and 75 mm convex lens to make a microscope and adjusted the distances accordingly to get a clear image
Do you realize there is some very useful information there?
BvU said:
Never saw a microscope do anything sensible at 10.6 cm from the object....
So this isn't some biologist's microscope, but a lab exercise to work out the principles. OK!

And now we have some input for the relevant equations !

Now we can gamble safely that the objective lens is the 75 mm one ( but it would have been much better if you had offered that voluntarily in the problem description :wink:).

Then I can understand your answer to the (b) (?) part.

But not what you do for (c). What is your ##d_{O'}## ?
(Or better: post your work, clearly, step by step :smile:)

##\ ##
 
  • Like
Likes SammyS and member 731016
  • #7
BvU said:
Do you realize there is some very useful information there?

So this isn't some biologist's microscope, but a lab exercise to work out the principles. OK!

And now we have some input for the relevant equations !

Now we can gamble safely that the objective lens is the 75 mm one ( but it would have been much better if you had offered that voluntarily in the problem description :wink:).

Then I can understand your answer to the (b) (?) part.

But not what you do for (c). What is your ##d_{O'}## ?
(Or better: post your work, clearly, step by step :smile:)

##\ ##
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

My ##d_{O'}## for is the real image formed by objective lens. I use that virtual object for the eyepiece.

##\frac{1}{26} + \frac{1}{dI'} = \frac{1}{15}##
##d_{I'} = 35 cm##

Many thanks!
 
  • #8
ChiralSuperfields said:
My ##d_{O'}## for is the real image formed by objective lens. I use that virtual object for the eyepiece.

##\frac{1}{26} + \frac{1}{dI'} = \frac{1}{15}##
##d_{I'} = 35 cm##
How come you think this image is formed at a distance of 26 cm from the eyepiece ?

##\ ##
 
  • Like
Likes member 731016
  • #9
BvU said:
How come you think this image is formed at a distance of 26 cm from the eyepiece ?

##\ ##
Thank you for your reply @BvU!

True, that might be a mistake. I guess 26 cm is the distance from the real image from the objective lens not the eyepiece so I guess the distance to the real image from the eyepiece should be ##34 - 26 = 8 cm## this gives
the finial image to be - 17 cm from the objective lens.

Many thanks!
 
  • #10
We are getting there, step by step :smile:

A remark about accuracy: you have input with 2 to 2½ digit accuracy. You want to do your calculations with at least that and only round off properly at the end. So NOT ##d_{O'} = 8 ## cm but 8.355 and then ##d_{I'} = -18.86 ## cm, so you get -18.9 cm, not -17 !

So: what's the performance of your 'microscope' ?

##\ ##
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes member 731016 and SammyS
  • #11
BvU said:
We are getting there, step by step :smile:

A remark about accuracy: you have input with 2 to 2½ digit accuracy. You want to do your calculations with at least that and only round off properly at the end. So NOT ##d_{O'} = 8 ## cm but 8.355 and then ##d_{I'} = -18.86 ## cm, so you get -18.9 cm, not -17 !

So: what's the performance of your 'microscope' ?

##\ ##
Thank you for your help @BvU!

Sorry, what do you mean by performance of the microscope?

Many thanks!
 
  • #12
Magnification :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes member 731016
  • #13
BvU said:
Magnification :smile:
Thank you for your help @BvU!
For the total magnification I get ##-2.4 \times 2.4 = -5.8## which means that it must be an enlarged and inverted image

Many thanks!
 

FAQ: Microscope Optics: questions and calculations

What is numerical aperture (NA) and why is it important in microscope optics?

Numerical aperture (NA) is a dimensionless number that characterizes the range of angles over which the system can accept or emit light. It is important because it directly affects the resolving power and brightness of the image. A higher NA indicates better resolution and the ability to gather more light, which is crucial for observing fine details in the specimen.

How do you calculate the total magnification of a microscope?

The total magnification of a microscope is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the eyepiece lens. For example, if the objective lens has a magnification of 40x and the eyepiece lens has a magnification of 10x, the total magnification would be 40x * 10x = 400x.

What is the difference between resolution and magnification in microscopy?

Resolution is the ability of a microscope to distinguish two close points as separate entities. It depends on the wavelength of light used and the numerical aperture of the objective lens. Magnification, on the other hand, is the process of enlarging the appearance of an object. While magnification increases the size of the image, resolution determines the clarity and detail of the image. High magnification without high resolution will result in a larger, but blurry image.

How do you calculate the field of view (FOV) in a microscope?

The field of view (FOV) can be calculated if you know the field number (FN) of the eyepiece and the magnification of the objective lens. The formula is FOV = FN / Magnification. For example, if the field number is 20 and the magnification of the objective lens is 40x, the field of view would be 20 / 40 = 0.5 millimeters.

What is depth of field in microscopy and how is it affected by numerical aperture and magnification?

Depth of field (DOF) is the thickness of the specimen that remains in focus at one time. It is inversely related to the numerical aperture and magnification; higher NA and magnification result in a shallower depth of field. This means that as you increase the magnification or numerical aperture, the depth of field decreases, making it more challenging to keep thicker specimens in focus.

Back
Top