Microscope Model - Physics Demonstrations - Microscope Model | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Use LED or fiber optic illumination rather than incandescent bulbs when possible to reduce heat near optical components. Ensure students do not look directly into intense light sources, especially if using halogen or arc lamps.

Purpose

Two convex lenses on an optical bench model a compound microscope, producing a magnified, inverted image captured by a video camera. Students see how objective and eyepiece lenses combine for two-stage magnification and how lens spacing affects the result.

Video camera with flip-out screen at near end of optical bench, convex lens in dark card mount in middle, desk lamp illuminating target card at far end, wooden meter stick along bench

Camera view through the microscope model showing magnified ruler markings around 19-21 cm with visible graduation lines

White index card on green bench surface with the word "microscope" written small in the bottom right corner

Magnified view through microscope model showing the word "microscope" in handwriting, heavily magnified with visible ink texture

Figure 1: Complete microscope model setup: video camera at the eyepiece position, objective lens in a card mount, and illuminated target card at the far end. The meter stick tracks lens positions along the bench.

Figure 2: Camera view through the microscope model showing magnified, inverted ruler markings -- the compound magnification from both lenses is clearly visible.

Figure 3: Target index card with "microscope" written small in the corner. This text is barely visible to the naked eye but clearly readable through the microscope model.

Figure 4: Magnified view of the "microscope" text on the index card, showing the detail achievable with the two-lens system.

Optical Slider

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200 mm Convex Lens

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Safety Warnings

Warning: Bright Light Source

Purpose