Why Do You Have to Start With the Stage Up As High As it Can Go on a Microscope?

Function

• The function of the stage is to hold the slide. The slide contains the specimen or material to be examined. Place the specimen to be examined on a slide and place on the stage. Use stage clips to secure the slide. Raise the stage and lower the lens as much as possible without touching the slide. Make sure you begin with the lowest-power lens. Each microscope contains more than one lens, normally three or four with varying degrees of magnification.

Focus

• Focus is the reason for moving the stage up as high as possible and the lens down to close to the slide. In this position, the microscope will be out of focus. You now move the lens upward until the specimen on the slide is in focus. It may take more than one movement to acheive a clear view. Once you have the lowest-power lens in focus, proceed to the next strongest lens. It should require very little adjustment.

Adjustment

• Microscopes contain adjustment knobs for the stage known as mechanical stage controllers. These controllers allow you to move the stage right and left and forward and backward. Moving the stage with these controllers also moves the slide. It assists in bringing the slide into focus.The object is to get the slide in the middle of the lens and your field of view.

Light

• Light to view the specimen on the slide comes from underneath the stage. The most likely source is a light bulb. A diaphragm with controls gives the user the ability to regulate the amount of light. The condenser with two sets of lenses focuses the light as it passes up towards the stage. The combination of the light bulb, diaphragm and condenser lens provides the correct light needed to view the specimen.