Final answer:
To calculate total magnification, multiply the magnification of the objective lens by that of the eyepiece lens. Specifically, an objective lens with a 40x magnification and an eyepiece with a 10x magnification result in a total magnification of 400x. For more detailed calculations, use the thin lens equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total magnification of a binocular light microscope, you multiply the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the eyepiece lens. The magnification power of each lens is usually engraved on it, followed by an 'X'. For example, if the objective lens is 40×10 and the eyepiece lens is 10×10, the total magnification would be (40×10) × (10×10) = 400×10.
For more complex calculations, such as those involving a compound microscope with specified focal lengths for the objective and eyepiece and a given distance between the two, the magnification can be found using the thin lens equation. In a situation where the objective lens has a focal length of 6.00 mm and is placed 6.20 mm from the object, with an eyepiece of 50.0 mm focal length separated by 23.0 cm from the objective, the magnification of the objective lens and the magnification of the eyepiece would have to be calculated separately and then multiplied to find the overall magnification.