Magnification — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- How many times larger the image is than the object; on a compound microscope, eyepiece multiplied by objective. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- How many times larger an object appears through a lens than it is in reality (eyepiece magnification × objective magnification). (Life Science: Biology)
Where it is taught
- Measurements, Microscopes & Scale — Scientific Inquiry & Diversity of Life, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Cell Theory & the Discovery of Cells — Cells, Membranes & Exchange, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
Magnification without resolution just gives you a bigger blur, and that is the single most useful idea in this unit.
Measurements, Microscopes & Scale
Magnification is simply how much bigger an image looks; resolution is how much genuine detail you can separate.
Cell Theory & the Discovery of Cells
Questions using magnification
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
The cell length is approximately 60 micrometers, and the stated total magnification is 400×. Length describes the specimen estimate; magnification describes image enlargement. Both assume the provided record is correct, and the scale calculation assumes uniform resizing of the cell and bar. Magnification alone does not supply the real cell length.
Find the ratio 1.2/4=0.3.
Multiply 0.3 by 200 micrometers.
Multiply lens factors 10×40.
Check that image and scale bar were resized together.
Response criteria
- Explain the relevant biological process accurately.
- Use the supplied evidence and show calculation steps with units where needed.
- Connect a labeled model or mechanism with the claim.
- State an assumption, evidence limitation, or useful next observation.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
250 ×
10×25=250×.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
400 ×
Total magnification = eyepiece × objective = 10 × 40 = 400×.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
400 ×
Total magnification is the product: 10 × 40 = 400×.