Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials ScienceDoITPoMS Teaching and Learning Packages

Optical Microscopy and Specimen Preparation

Answer to Q1

 
  1. How should the initial focusing of the microscope be done?
    a With the coarse focus moving the lens towards the specimen.

    (Incorrect: moving the lens towards the specimen could damage the lens if it goes too far and crashes into the specimen.)
    b With the fine focus moving the lens towards the specimen.

    (Incorrect: the fine focus tends to have a limited range, and so not only would it take a long time to bring the specimen into focus, but it may not go far enough to bring the specimen into focus. In addition, moving the lens towards the specimen could damage the lens if it goes too far and crashes into the specimen.)
    c With the coarse focus moving the lens away from the specimen.

    Correct!
    d With the fine focus moving the lens away from the specimen.

    (Incorrect: the fine focus tends to have a limited range and so not only would it take a long time to bring the specimen into focus, but it may not go far enough to bring the specimen into focus.)
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DoITPoMS, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge