Question

Compare the Astronomical Telescope and Compound Microscope on the basis of the following: 

(i) Components
(ii)Magnifying power
Explain with reason whether any one of the above devices can be used as the other device.
(i) Components

Hint:

Remember: Telescopes are for distant objects with long focal lengths, while microscopes magnify tiny objects with short focal lengths.

Answer 1

An astronomical telescope consists of an objective lens and an eyepiece with a longer focal length, while a compound microscope consists of an objective lens and an eyepiece with a shorter focal length.
Astronomical Telescope: - Used for viewing distant objects. -
Objective lens: Large aperture, long focal length.
Eyepiece lens: Shorter focal length for magnification.
Compound Microscope: - Used for viewing tiny nearby objects. - Components
Objective lens: Short focal length, higher magnification.
Eyepiece lens: Further magnifies the intermediate image. \[ \boxed{\text{Telescope: Long focal length, Microscope: Short focal length.}} \] (ii) Magnifying Power % Solution Solution:
The magnifying power of an astronomical telescope is the ratio of focal lengths, while for a compound microscope, it is the product of magnifications of the objective and eyepiece lenses.
Astronomical Telescope: \[ \text{Magnifying Power} = \frac{f_{\text{objective}}}{f_{\text{eyepiece}}} \] Compound Microscope: \[ \text{Magnifying Power} = m_{\text{objective}} \times m_{\text{eyepiece}} \] Conclusion: - Telescope magnifies distant objects by collecting more light. - Microscope magnifies small objects by successive magnification. \[ \boxed{\text{Telescope: Focal length ratio, Microscope: Successive magnification.}} \] (iii) Can one device be used as the other? % Solution Solution: A telescope is designed for distant objects with long focal length, while a microscope is designed for close objects with short focal length. The image formation principles and optical configurations are different, making them unsuitable for interchange. \[ \text{Thus, one cannot be used as the other.} \] \[ \boxed{\text{Telescope and microscope serve distinct purposes.}} \]