Magnification

Definition

Magnification is the process of enlarging the appearance of an object using lenses or digital tools. It is crucial for observing microscopic organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Magnification is achieved through the use of objective and ocular lenses in a microscope.
2. The total magnification is calculated by multiplying the magnifying power of the objective lens by that of the ocular lens.
3. High magnification can reveal details but may reduce image clarity if not properly adjusted.
4. Resolving power, or resolution, is different from magnification; it determines how clear and detailed the enlarged image will be.
5. Electron microscopes provide much higher magnifications than light microscopes, allowing visualization at nanometer scales.

Review Questions

• How do you calculate the total magnification of a microscope?
• What is the difference between magnification and resolution?
• Why might high magnification not always result in a clearer image?

Related terms

Resolution:

The ability to distinguish two objects as separate entities in an image.

Objective Lens:

The primary lens in a microscope that first focuses light on the specimen.

Ocular Lens:

The eyepiece lens through which a viewer observes a magnified image from the objective lens.