Microscopes & Cultures - Magnification and Unit Conversions (GCSE Biology)

Magnification and Unit Conversions

Calculating Magnification

Magnification is defined as the size of the image divided by the size of the real object. Magnification tells you how big an image is compared to the real object.

Use a ruler to measure the size of the real object and the image. Make sure to use the same units for both.

Magnification and Unit Conversions
Magnification and Unit Conversions
  • Standard form makes calculations easier. Standard form allows you to remove decimal points and compare values more easily. You represent your values with a x10x dependent on the number you have.
    For example, 0.005 can be represented as 5 x 10-3. The power is The number of places the decimal place moves to reach the key number, is the number given as the power, with a minus sign for numbers less than 1.
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Size and Scale

  • There are prefixes that stand for certain orders of magnitude. Centi- stands for 10-2 , milli stands for 10-3, micro stands for 10-6 , nano stands for 10-9 and pico stands for 10-12.
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