Q&A for How to Use a Compound Microscope

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What is the average cost of a good microscope?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist
Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

Depending on what features you need, you can find basic compound microscopes for less than $100, but models with more features can be thousands of dollars.

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Question

How do I prepare a slide?

Community Answer

Put the object you are observing on the slide, and carefully cover it with a coverslip (a small, square, clear plastic cover). Make sure the coarse adjustment knob is rotated all the way down, especially if you are at 40X magnification. Place the slide underneath the eyepiece, with the coverslip side facing up.

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Question

Can I add custom magnification features to the microscope?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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Can I use a microscope if I only have one hand?

Community Answer

Of course you can use a microscope! You just might need to make some adjustments to how you look at the slides.

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Question

If I damage the lens of my compound microscope, what do I do?

Community Answer

Either get a specialist to look at it and replace the lens, or look up a wikiHow article on replacing a lens on a compound microscope.

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Question

How do I care for the compound microscope?

Community Answer

Clean it often and make sure no dust collects on the lenses. Do not use the compressed gas dust off cleaner, that could cause thermal shock and crack the lens.

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Can liquids damage the microscope?

Community Answer

Potentially, yes. Only water and lens cleaner are safe for the lenses and structure of the microscope.

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What do I do if my microscope didn't come with a slide? Any other alternatives?

Community Answer

Yes, you can buy it online or in the education shop. The slides are always available separately.

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