Optical instruments: Microscope and Telescope

In summary, there are different formulas for calculating the magnifying power of a microscope and a telescope. For a telescope, the magnifying power is equal to the ratio of the focal length of the objective to the focal length of the eyepiece, with a negative sign indicating an inverted image. For a microscope, the magnifying power is equal to the negative of the tube length divided by the focal length of the objective, multiplied by 25 cm divided by the focal length of the eyepiece. The negative sign again indicates an inverted image. The difference between angular and linear magnification is that angular magnification increases the angles of an image, while linear magnification increases the size of the image. This can be seen by projecting the images
  • #1
D. Wani
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What are the different formulas for the calculation of magnifying power of a microscope and a telescope? And how would we use the sign conventions in them?
 
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  • #2
D. Wani said:
What are the different formulas for the calculation of magnifying power of a microscope and a telescope? And how would we use the sign conventions in them?

If the eye is relaxed for distant viewing, the telescope simply produces an
angular magnification equal to the ratio of the focal length of the objective to the focal length of the eyepiece,
so M.P. = - (fobjective / f eye piece) ( The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted.).

Magnifying power(M.P) of a microscope. = -(g /fobjective).{(25 cm)/feyepiece.} , where g is The tube length .
It is the distance between the secondary focal point of the objective and the primary focal point of the eyepiece.
25 cm. is the least distance of distinct vision of human eye.
here also the negative sign indicates that the image is inverted.
 
  • #3
What is the difference between angular and linear magnification
 
  • #4
D. Wani said:
What is the difference between angular and linear magnification
Perhaps I can illustrate this difference by using the two instruments to project their images onto a white screen. For instance, a telescope projecting the Sun's image on to a card and a microscope projecting an image of a cell on to a card. You will notice that the Sun's image is smaller than the actual object, but the cell's image is larger than the object. So the telescope does not make an image that is bigger than the original, but makes the eye think so by increasing the angles. I was taught to refer to "magnifying power" for telescopes, rather than magnification.
 

1. What is the difference between a microscope and a telescope?

A microscope is an optical instrument used to magnify small objects, making them appear larger and more detailed. It is primarily used in biology and medicine to study cells and microscopic organisms. A telescope, on the other hand, is used to magnify distant objects, such as stars and galaxies, making them appear larger and clearer. It is primarily used in astronomy to study objects in space.

2. How do microscopes and telescopes use lenses to magnify objects?

Both microscopes and telescopes use lenses to bend and focus light, which results in magnification. In a microscope, the objective lens magnifies the specimen, and the eyepiece lens further magnifies the image. In a telescope, the objective lens or mirror gathers light from the distant object, and the eyepiece lens magnifies the image.

3. Can a microscope be used as a telescope or vice versa?

No, a microscope and a telescope are designed for different purposes and have different optical configurations. A microscope has a shorter focal length and a shorter tube length compared to a telescope. This means that a microscope would not be able to gather enough light to view distant objects, and a telescope would not have the magnifying power to view microscopic objects.

4. What are the different types of microscopes and telescopes?

There are several types of microscopes, including compound microscopes, stereo microscopes, and electron microscopes. Compound microscopes use two or more lenses to magnify objects, while stereo microscopes use two separate optical paths to produce a three-dimensional image. Electron microscopes use a beam of electrons to magnify objects. Similarly, there are different types of telescopes, such as refracting telescopes, reflecting telescopes, and radio telescopes, which use different methods to gather and magnify light from distant objects.

5. How do microscopes and telescopes help us understand the world around us?

Microscopes and telescopes are essential tools in scientific research, allowing us to see and study things that are too small or too far away to be seen with the naked eye. They have helped us understand the structure and function of cells, discover new species, and explore the vastness of our universe. Through these optical instruments, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and make groundbreaking discoveries that shape our understanding of science and the natural world.

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