Name: _______________________________________
Period: ______
Date: _______________
“E” Activity for Microscopes
Directions: Follow the instructions below to examine the letter “e” under the microscope. This
activity will make you familiar with the microscope so you can view cells later!
Materials Needed:
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Compound Microscope
One blank microscope slide
One cover slip
Water and water dropper
Cut out letter “e” (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font)
Toothpick (for fine adjustments)
Procedure:
1. Cut out the letter “e” and place it on the microscope slide face up.
2. Add a drop of water to the slide.
3. Place the cover slip on top of the “e” and water at a 45 degree angle and lower the cover slip.
DRAW WHAT THE “e” LOOKS LIKE IN BOX 1.
4. Review the guidelines for using a microscope to focus.
a. Use the coarse adjustment knob (1) to lower the stage (2).
b. Place the slide on the stage so the slide is over the center
and clip the slide in.
c. Turn on the light and rotate the objective lens (3) to 4x
power.
d. Look through the lens and use the coarse adjustment knob
(1) to raise the stage until the “e” comes into clear view.
DO NOT TOUCH THE COARSE ADJUSTMENT KNOB
AGAIN!
e. Use the fine adjustment knob (4) to focus the image.
5. Place the slide on the stage of the microscope and view at the
lowest power (4x). DRAW WHAT THE “e” LOOKS LIKE NOW
IN BOX 2.
YMS 7th Grade Science 2014-2015
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Binder Section: Labs/Activities
Name: _______________________________________
Period: ______
Date: _______________
6. Move the slide on the stage to the left, what happens?
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7. Move the slide to the right, what happens?
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8. Re-center the slide and change the objective lens to 10x power. You DO NOT need to move
the stage. Just rotate the objective and use the fine adjustment knob to refocus the image.
DRAW WHAT THE “e” LOOKS LIKE NOW IN BOX 3.
9. Finally, rotate the objective lens to 40x power. Use the fine adjustment knob to focus the
image. DRAW WHAT THE “e” LOOKS LIKE IN BOX 4.
Box 1 – Eyes only. NO MICROSCOPE
Box 2 – 4x power
Box 3 – 10x power
Box 4 – 40x power
YMS 7th Grade Science 2014-2015
Binder Section: Labs/Activities