What are the characteristics of a compound microscope?

Many scientists use microscopes, but sometimes a compound microscope is needed. This type of microscope is different because it includes two lenses. The compound microscope is a type of optical microscope and it has an eyepiece lens and an objective lens. It is believed that this microscope uses more light to help pass it through to the object trying to be seen.

Types of compound microscopes include stereo microscope, comparison microscope, inverted microscope and traveling microscope. One difference between a compound microscope and a regular microscope is that a regular microscope has a convex lens whereas the objective lens is located away from the eyepiece lens and is next to the object so more light will be used to see the object.

Compound microscopes can easily be distinguished with simple microscopes as long as you know what sets them apart from the latter. There are two sets of lenses in a compound microscope. These lenses are the eyepiece lens and objectives that will help the user magnify objects. The total magnification of a compound microscope depends on the on what objective lens is used compared to a simple microscope where the total magnification is limited to the single lens used.

As compound microscopes have a higher capability to magnify objects, they are usually used in science laboratories to study cells, bacteria, etc. One can easily study and see the differences of a nail cell from an onion cell through a compound microscope.