Cell Phone Microscope

[rachelmcspedon]

Hello! I am having a student work on the cell phone microscope project and we are struggling with the ball lens and the inner bike tube. I purchased both but we are unclear of how exactly to cut the inner tube and get the ball lens in it, the lens is so small! Can someone provide further directions on how exactly they cut the tube and got the lens in it.

Thank You!!

Rachel

[williamcolocho]

I just read the procedure:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure

As expected, it is very tricky.

Have your student read steps 3-4 carefully. There are many hints that will help. For detail work like this, sometimes it helps to use a magnifying glass. Asking help from others is almost a must. Someone stretching the rubber while someone else manipulates the lens. I would try to find a pushpin about the same diameter as the ball lense.

the ball lense is hard to handle. Make sure you work over a surface that will make it easy to find in case it's dropped.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.