In a compound microscope, what role does the eyepiece play in the final image formation?
**Compound microscope** M = m_o × M_e, objective magnification m_o = v_o/u_o ≈ L/f_o, L tube length, eyepiece M_e = 1+D/f_e (image at D) or D/f_e (infinity). Objective forms real inverted magnified image at focal plane of eyepiece, eyepiece acts as simple microscope magnifying it. The eyepiece in a compound microscope acts as a magnifying lens, taking the real, inverted image formed by the objective and producing a larger, virtual image for the observer. It enhances the angular size of the intermediate image, making it appear magnified without altering its orientation. Substituting values give
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Ray Optics > Optical Instruments - Simple and Compound Microscope
