Homemade Compound Microscope Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnifying power and lens separation of a homemade compound microscope using thin lenses with focal lengths of 1 cm (objective) and 3 cm (eyepiece). The magnifying power (M) is derived from the formula M = (-25)(L)/(fo)(fe), where L is the length between the lenses, fo is the focal length of the objective, and fe is the focal length of the eyepiece. The user initially calculated a magnifying power of approximately 41.67x, which is incorrect; the expected value is 46.7x. Additionally, the separation of the lenses was incorrectly calculated as 2.39 cm instead of the correct value of 8.68 cm.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of lens formulas, specifically 1/s + 1/s' = 1/fo
  • Knowledge of magnification calculations using M = s'/s
  • Familiarity with effective focal length calculations for multiple lenses
  • Basic principles of optics related to microscopes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of effective focal length for combined lenses
  • Learn about the construction and design principles of optical microscopes
  • Explore advanced magnification techniques in optical systems
  • Investigate common errors in optical calculations and how to avoid them
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Students in optics, hobbyists building homemade microscopes, and educators teaching principles of magnification and lens systems.

molip790
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1. Homework Statement

A Homemade compound microscope has, as objective and eyepiece, thin lenses of focal lengths 1cm and 3cm, respectively. An object is situated at a distance of 1.20cm from the objective. If the virtual image produced by the eyepiece is 25cm from the eye, compute (a.) the magnifying power of the microscope and (b) the separation of the lenses

2. Homework Equations

M = (-25)(L)/(fo)(fe) where L is the length, and fo = focal length of objective, and fe = focal length of the eyepiece

1/s + 1/s' = 1/fo

M = 25/feff where feff is the effective focal length of the two lenses separated by a distance d

So... 1/feff = 1/fo + 1/fe - d/fofe

3. The Attempt at a Solution

(a.) 1/s + 1/s' = 1/fo
1/1.20 + 1/s' = 1/3
1/s' = -1/2
s' = -2cm

then...
M = -25L/fofe
= -25(s'-fo)/fofe
= -25(-2-3)/(3*1)
= 125/3
M = 41.6667 ? which isn't right (its supposed to be 46.7x)

which will make part b. wrong, but even with the correct answer using the equation I have:

M = 25/feff and feff = 1/fo + 1/fe - d/fofe I still get d = 2.39 which is also incorrect, its supposed to be 8.68
 
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molip790 said:
1. Homework Statement

A Homemade compound microscope has, as objective and eyepiece, thin lenses of focal len...
Dear molip790
I could not translate well but I understand that you have problems on homemade microscop.
The picture below shows how to do:

th_microscope.png
=>
th_microscope2.jpg


The equations below you can calculate that binds to a microscope.

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1wzrat7k7u63z4sT_4wFMmZG8jhtFWqg6W-iLWVX9qJ4DdmPvSA.png


Another home made compound microscopes.

th_ZoomMic.jpg
***
th_StereoMic.png
***
th_mic_tel.jpg

Homemade simple focuser =>
th_helicalfocus.png
 
f1 =10 mm ; f2 = 30 mm ; s = 12mm

s' = 60 mm => M f1 = s' / s = 60 / 12 = 5 x.

M mic. = Mf1 . (250 / f2) = 41.6 X
 
Last edited:

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