My microscope says it goes up to 1000X, but I don't really believe that after using it. However, it can get pretty close up and provide a good image. What's the usual setting for seeing a bacterium or something similar in size? I want to know for a number of reasons, and I won't bother you with them. I've already fiddled with it, though, so there's no need to recommend trying it.
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100x is enough for organisms like protozoans (ameba, paramecium, etc.), unicellular algae, etc. For bacteria you would need at least 400x, and 1000x would be better. Also, the bacteria would have to be stained with some kind of dye in order to see them clearly.
However, the resolution or resolving power of your microscope is as important as the magnification. Resolution is defined as the minimum distance at which two points can be distinguished as separate. It depends on the quality of the lenses. If your resolution is poor, which is usually the case with inexpensive microscopes purchased in toy stores, you won't be able to get a really clear view of anything at 1000 power. If your scope has a resolution of 2 to 3 micrometers, then two points - or two bacteria - would have to be at least 2-3 micrometers apart in order to see them as separate. If they are only 1-2 micrometers apart, you would see them as a single indistinct spot. If you had a whole cluster of cocci (spherical bacteria), and a scope with high resolution, you would see many tiny distinct organisms at 1000x. But viewing the same cluster of bacteria with low resolution, all you would see is a large mottled-looking blotch at 1000x. In any case, there are plenty of very interesting organisms large enough to be clearly seen at 100x, and at that magnification resolution is not as important a factor.
However, the resolution or resolving power of your microscope is as important as the magnification. Resolution is defined as the minimum distance at which two points can be distinguished as separate. It depends on the quality of the lenses. If your resolution is poor, which is usually the case with inexpensive microscopes purchased in toy stores, you won't be able to get a really clear view of anything at 1000 power. If your scope has a resolution of 2 to 3 micrometers, then two points - or two bacteria - would have to be at least 2-3 micrometers apart in order to see them as separate. If they are only 1-2 micrometers apart, you would see them as a single indistinct spot. If you had a whole cluster of cocci (spherical bacteria), and a scope with high resolution, you would see many tiny distinct organisms at 1000x. But viewing the same cluster of bacteria with low resolution, all you would see is a large mottled-looking blotch at 1000x. In any case, there are plenty of very interesting organisms large enough to be clearly seen at 100x, and at that magnification resolution is not as important a factor.