written by: suhail ahanger · diy microscope experience the making of microscope and learn to focus...

DIY MicroscopeExperience the making of microscope and learn to focus using coloured dots and text.

Written By: Suhail Ahanger

DIY Microscope Release: 2.1 [major] 2019-06-27Guide ID: 480 -

This document was generated on 2019-09-21 02:12:32 AM (MST).

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INTRODUCTION

Build a microscope using different diameter beads and play by focusing on colour dots. Vary thedistance between the colour dot (slide) and microscope to obtain a sharp image. Explore byadjusting the focus and understand how secondary colours are created.

TOOLS:Scissors (1)Insulation Tape (1)Paper Cutter (1)Thick Binding Wire 5 cm (1)Fruity Straw (1)

5 cmScale (1)Pencil (1)

PARTS:Ice Cream Stick (1)

Wide4.5 mm glass bead (1)2.5 mm glass bead (1)Foam Piece (1)

Thickness - 4 mm1.5 cm x 2 cm

Colour dots slide (1)



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— Precaution

Exercise caution when using paper cutter/scissor.

— Step 1 - Marking on the Ice-cream Stick

Mark at 4 cm on the ice cream stick from both the ends.

At both the 4 cm markings, find the centre along the width and make two more marks at thosecentres.

Let's call them Marking I and Marking II.

These will be the points for mounting the glass beads.



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— Step 2 - 2.5 mm Bead Marking

Keeping one end of the thick binding wire at Marking I, draw a line on the ice cream stick along thebinding wire's circumference.

You will get a small circle of diameter equal to that of 2.5 mm glass bead.

— Step 3 - 4.5 mm Bead Marking

At the Marking II, use the straw with a diameter of 4.5 mm to make another circle.

Marking I: Location for fixing the 2.5 mm bead.

Marking II: Location for fixing the 4.5 mm bead.



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— Step 4 - Making Holes

Using the pointed end of a scissor, make clean holes in the ice-cream stick at both Marking I andMarking II.

Rotate the blade gently to make a neat circular hole, one for each bead.

Be gentle with the ice cream stick as it may split/break/divide while making the holes.

Care to be taken to ensure that the hole for the 2.5 mm is slightly smaller than the cut-out marked.

The hole for the 4.5 mm bead should be the size of the cut-out.

Clean the holes by removing the splinters from both the sides of the ice cream stick, using a papercutter/scissors.



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— Step 5 - Fixing the 2.5 mm Bead

Important: Make sure that your hands are clean and that you don't scratch or stain the glassbeads while handling them.

Place the 2.5 mm bead carefully in its hole and press down gently.

Take a 4 cm piece of tape. Fold the tape in a way that the adhesive part is outward i.e., the tapeshould not stick on itself while folding.

Make a small hole at the centre of the tape at the folding, as shown.

Secure the tape over 2.5 mm bead, leaving the bead exposed through the hole.



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— Step 6 - Placing the Foam Piece (4.5 mm Bead)

Make a hole in the centre of the foam piece, using the pointed end of the scissors.

Hole size should be less than the size of the 4.5 mm glass bead, such that no stray light interfereswith your final microscopic image.

Now place the foam piece on the ice cream stick such that, the hole of the foam piece and biggerhole in the ice cream stick align with each other.

— Step 7 - Fixing the 4.5 mm Bead

Secure the foam piece to the ice cream stick, by using two 4 cm strips of tape on the oppositeedges of the foam piece.

Do not cover the hole on any side with the tape.

Place the 4.5 mm glass bead into the hole of foam piece and press gently to secure the beadinside the hole.



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— Step 8 - Microscope Ready!

I: Finished 2.5 mm beadmicroscope.

II: Finished 4.5 mm beadmicroscope.

— Step 9 - Colour Dot Slide Making

Take off the wrapper/cover on the plastic slide.

To prevent rubbing off the colours, place the colour dots strip on to the slide such that, the side onwhich colours are printed touches the slide.

When you look at the slide holding the colour strip facing you, the letters will read correctly (theywill not be mirrored).

At each end of the colour dots strip, stick the transparent tape.



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— Step 10 - Adjusting the Bead

Using the straw used for marking the circle, adjust the 4.5 mm bead by either pushing down fromthe foam side or pushing back from the other side.

The adjusting of the bead is done to make sure that, there is some gap between the sample andthe glass bead, when the microscope is placed on the slide. This will help us in getting clear focusof the image.

Observe the sample colour dots through Microscope by keeping close to the eyes.



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— Step 11 - Focusing the Small Bead

Position the 2.5 mm bead on the number 2 and look through the bead, holding the assembly closeto your eyes.

A light source should illuminate the slide from behind.

The microscope should be positioned on the slide, such that it is touching the colour dots.

If the numeral "2" is not clearly visible, then move the bead up or down by gently pressing withyour finger and find the focus (sharp image).

If you are able to see the numeral "2" clearly, as shown in the picture, it is in focus.

Repeat the above steps with the numeral "3".



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— Step 12 - Focusing the Large Bead

Try to see the numeral 4 and 5 by using the large bead i.e 4.5 mm bead.

If the numeral "4" is not clearly visible, then move the bead up or down using the straw till you findthe focus.

If you are able to see the numeral "4" clearly, as shown in the picture, it is in focus.

Repeat the above steps with the numeral "5".



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— Play - I

Place your microscope on the Cyan Dot (indicated by C below the dot). What are the colours andpatterns you see?

Now, move your microscope to the Magenta Dot (M). What are the colours and patterns you see?

— Play - II

Place your microscope on the Yellow Dot (Y). What are the colours and patterns you see?

Now, move your microscope to the Black Dot (K). What are the colours and patterns you see?



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— Play - III

Place your microscope on the Grey Dot (P). What colours and patterns do you see?

Place your microscope on the Yellowish Dot (Q). What colours and patterns do you see?

Place your microscope on the Green Dot (R). What colours and patterns do you see?

— Troubleshooting

Following could be the underlying causes for image not being clear:

Hole in the tape piece or foam piece is too large, stray light and the natural spherical aberration ofthe bead could adversely affect the quality of your image.

Bead might be dirty or scratched.

The gap between the sample slide and the glass bead is too less to too much.

Sample maybe untidy.



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written by: suhail ahanger · diy microscope experience the making of microscope and learn to focus...

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