Final answer:
Oil immersion lenses with 100x magnification are used to enhance resolving power by minimizing refraction and light scatter. Immersion oil, with a refractive index close to the glass, allows more light into the lens for clearer imaging of specimens, achieving resolutions of around 0.2 µm.
Step-by-step explanation:
To effectively use an oil immersion lens with a magnification of 100x, it is crucial to understand how it works and its impact on resolving power. The oil immersion lens is specifically designed to be used with immersion oil to fill the gap between the lens and the specimen. This oil has a refractive index similar to glass, which increases the light that can be collected by the lens and consequently enhances the resolution of the image.
By using immersion oil, refraction, and light scatter are minimized, allowing for more light rays to enter the lens. This is essential for achieving maximal resolution, which for most microscopes is around 0.2 µm. When viewing biological specimens through a microscope, the oil immersion lens allows us to see details that would otherwise be obscured.
Always remember to apply a drop of oil when using the oil immersion objective to wipe off the oil and clean the lens after each use to avoid damaging the microscope.