Question

Explain in detail the working of a compound microscope.

Answer 1

• When the objective lens is pointed towards the distant object to be observed, the rays of light from the distant object, which are almost parallel to each other pass through the objective lens.
• The objective lens collects maximum amount of light as it is large in size. It forms a real, inverted and diminished image in the focal plane of the objective lens.
• Now, the position of the eyepiece is adjusted such that this image falls just within the focal length of the eyepiece and serves as the object for the eyepiece which works as a simple microscope.
• The final image is highly magnified, virtual, on the same side as that of the object and inverted with respect to the original object.
• The final image can be observed by keeping the eye close to the eyepiece. If the image formed by the objective lens lies in the focal plane of the eyepiece, the final image is formed at infinity.