In case of a compound microscope which of the following statements is / are correct? 1. The focal length of the eye piece is larger than the focal length of the objective 2. The focal length of the eye piece is smaller than the focal length of the objective 3. The image produced in a normal optical microscope is real 4. The image produced in a normal optical microscope is virtual Select the correct answer using the code given below:

In a compound microscope, the objective lens has a very short focal length to produce a highly magnified real intermediate image. The eyepiece (ocular) acts as a simple magnifier for this intermediate image. For effective magnification and viewing comfort, the focal length of the eyepiece is typically larger than that of the objective. For example, a common configuration might use a 6.00 mm objective with a 50.0 mm eyepiece. Regarding the image type, the objective lens forms a real, inverted intermediate image. The eyepiece then magnifies this intermediate image to produce a final virtual image that is further enlarged and inverted relative to the original object. This final virtual image is what the observer sees, as it is positioned at a distance where the human eye can focus comfortably. Therefore, statements 1 and 4 are correct.