Final answer:
The angular magnification of a microscope is negative because the image is inverted. The greater the angular magnification, the larger the object will appear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The angular magnification of a microscope is negative because the minus sign indicates that the image is inverted. When an object is viewed through a microscope, it appears larger than its actual size due to the magnification. The greater the angular magnification, the larger the object will appear, allowing more details to be visible.
In a microscope, the objective and the eyepiece contribute to the overall magnification. To achieve the greatest angular magnification, it is best to have a long focal length objective and a short focal length eyepiece. The limits to observable details in a microscope are determined by factors such as lens quality and atmospheric disturbance.