Difference Between Simple And Compound Microscope

The simple microscope and the compound microscope are two popular types of microscopes that have multiple uses as well as totally distinct capabilities and designs. They are devices that enlarge an image of a small object to expose details that the unaided eye cannot observe. For choosing a suitable tool for a given application or scientific research, it is essential to understand the differences between them.

Difference Between Simple And Compound Microscope

The Difference Between Simple And Compound Microscope are as follows:

Parameters	Simple Microscope	Compound Microscope
Number of lenses	It consists of a single convex lens.	It consists of multiple lenses.
Magnification	It has low to moderate magnification.	It provides high magnification power.
Field of View	Its field of view is large.	Its field of view is small.
Built-in illumination	It does not have many options for built-in illumination.	It has a wide variety of options for built-in illumination.
Complexity	Its complexity is less.	Its complexity is high.
Cost	It is quite affordable.	These microscopes are expensive as it has complex optical systems and higher magnification capabilities.
Condenser lens	There is no condenser lens present.	The condenser lens is present in these types of microscopes.
Suitability	It is suitable for basic tasks such as reading.	It is suitable for detailed scientific investigations.

What is a Simple Microscope?

A simple microscope is a magnifying device that uses just one lens to enlarge objects. The object being viewed appears larger and closer than it actually is because the lens’s outward curve causes light rays to converge. It provides modest to moderate magnification, typically between 2x and 20x. It was invented and designed by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek in 1670.

Features of Simple Microscope

While simple microscopes does not leave great impact as Compound microscope do, they have many features. Some of the features of simple microscope are as follows:

• Single Lens: The only lens in a basic microscope is a convex one, usually biconvex or plano-convex in shape.
• Magnification: Depending on the lens being used, these microscopes offer low to moderate magnification, often in the 2x to 20x range.
• Cost: These microscopes are inexpensive compared to other microscopes.
• Easy to Use: They are quite easy to use. No technical knowledge is required to use this microscope.

Simple Microscope

What is a Compound Microscope?

A compound microscope is a magnifying device that uses multiple lenses to magnify an item at various zoom settings. The objective lens and the eyepiece, additionally referred to as the ocular lens, are the two primary types of lenses in a compound microscope. The total magnification it provides is 10x to 40x. It was created by Hans and Zacharias Janssen in 1950.

Features of Compound Microscope

Compound microscopes consists of many features. Some of them are as follows:

• High Magnification: These microscopes can magnify objects at significantly higher magnifications than simple microscopes, often ranging from 40x to 1000x or even more but it depends on the design of microscope.
• Superior resolution: They provide users with the ability to examine minute details and structures in specimens, including distinct cells, organelles, and microbes.
• Illumination: Compound microscopes have integrated lighting systems like brightfield, darkfield, phase-contrast, or fluorescence that improve specimen contrast and visibility.
• Mechanical Stage: A mechanical stage with X-Y controls is a common feature of compound microscopes, allowing the specimen to be moved and positioned precisely for observation.

Compound Microscope

Conclusion

Overall, both the microscopes work very well in our day-to-day life. Simple microscope can be used for basic jobs while we can use compound microscope for scientific purposes and research too. The former consists of only one lens whereas the latter consists of 2 or more than 2 lens which is a great advantage. At the end, its user’s particular demands and objectives that determine whether to utilize a simple microscope or a compound microscope.

FAQs on Simple and Compound Microscope

1. Who Discovered the Simple Microscope?

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch scientist and inventor who is also considered as the father of microbiology for his pioneering work in the field of microscopy discovered the simple microscope. He invented these simple microscopes in late 17th century.

2. What is the Difference between a Simple and a Compound Microscope?

The main difference between these microscopes are the number of lenses present in it. Simple microscope consists of only 1 lens whereas the compound microscope are having 2 or more lenses.

3. Which Lens is used in Compound Microscope?

Compound microscope consists of 2 or more lenses. The eyepiece and objective lenses are two of the two or more convex lenses that make up a compound microscope.

4. What is the Use of Simple Microscope?

Simple Microscopes are widely used in microbiology to get a magnified view of the samples. Also, it is used to view the fine parts of the jewellery by jewellers.

5. What is the Use of Compound microscope?

Compound microscopes are used in forensic laboratories for the detection of human fingerprints due to its high magnification power. Also, these microscopes can be used by students for high academic purposes.