Total magnification

Definition

Total magnification is the product of the magnifying power of the ocular lens and the objective lens in a microscope. It determines how much larger an object appears compared to its actual size.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Total magnification is calculated by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification.
2. Common ocular lenses have a magnification of 10x, while objective lenses vary, typically ranging from 4x to 100x.
3. High total magnification does not always mean better resolution; other factors like numerical aperture also play a role.
4. In compound microscopes, achieving high total magnification requires proper alignment and focus of both lenses.
5. Understanding total magnification is crucial for accurately interpreting microscopic images and measurements.

Review Questions

• How is total magnification calculated in a microscope?
• What are typical magnifications for ocular and objective lenses?
• Why is high total magnification not always indicative of better image quality?

Related terms

Ocular Lens:

Also known as the eyepiece, it is the part of a microscope that you look through, usually with a standard magnification of 10x.

Objective Lens:

The lens closest to the specimen, available in various strengths (e.g., 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x).

Numerical Aperture: A measure of a microscope's ability to gather light and resolve fine specimen detail at a fixed object distance.