III. Determining the size of an object under the microscope
The actual size of an object under the microscope can be determined by the strength of the lens through which the object is being viewed and the fraction of the field of view that the object occupies. This can be expressed with the following formula:
Actual length
of object (µm) |
= |
Fraction of field occupied by object |
x |
Diameter of object field (µm) |
Note: As the magnification of an object increases, the diameter of the field of view will proportionately decrease.
For example, as magnification doubles, diameter of the field of view is halved. Therefore, as magnification increases, the object will occupy a proportionately greater area of the field of view.
