The main difference between a simple and a compound microscope is the number of lenses they use to magnify an object. A simple microscope has only one lens, while a compound microscope has two or more lenses.
A simple microscope, also known as a magnifying glass or hand lens, uses a single convex lens to magnify an object. It has a limited magnification power and is mainly used for low magnification applications, such as reading small print or examining small objects like insects or coins.
A compound microscope, on the other hand, uses two or more lenses to magnify an object. It has a much higher magnification power and is used for more advanced applications, such as examining the structure of cells or microorganisms. A compound microscope uses an objective lens and an eyepiece lens to magnify the image of the specimen. The objective lens is located near the specimen and produces a magnified image that is further magnified by the eyepiece lens.
Another difference between a simple and a compound microscope is the type of sample they can observe. Simple microscopes are usually used to observe larger, opaque samples, while compound microscopes can observe smaller and more transparent samples.
In summary, the main differences between simple and compound microscopes are the number of lenses they use, their magnification power, and the type of samples they can observe. Simple microscopes are typically used for low magnification applications, while compound microscopes are used for more advanced applications that require higher magnification.
