Scientific Instruments



Scientific Instruments

Instrument Use
Altimeter Measures altitudes (used in aircraft)
Ammeter Measures strength of electric current
Anemometer Measures force and velocity of wind and directions
Audiometer Measures intensity of sound
Barograph Continuous recording of atmospheric pressure
Barometer Measures atmospheric pressure
Binoculars To view distant objects
Bolometer To measure heat radiation
Callipers Measure inner and outer diameters of bodies
Calorimeter Measures quantities of heat
Cardiogram Measures quantities of heat
Cardiogram (ECG) Traces movements of the heart; recorded on a Cardiograph
Cathetometer Determines heights, measurement of levels, etc, in scientific experiments
Chronometer Determines longitude of a vessel at sea.
Colorimeter Compares intensity of colours
Commutator To change/reverse the direction of electric current; Also used to convert AC into DC
Cryometer A type of thermometer used to measure very low temperatures, usually close to 0°C
Cyclotron A charged particle accelerator which can accelerate charged particles to high energies
Pilatometer Measures changes in volume of substances
Dyanamo Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
Dynamometer Measures electrical power
Electro encephalo grameg (EEC) Measures and records electrical activity of brain
Electrometer Measures very small but potential difference in electric currents
Electroscope Detects presence of an electric charge
Electro microscope To obtain a magnifying view of very small objects Capable of magnifying up to 20,000 times
Endoscope To examine internal parts of the body
Electro microscope To obtain a magnifying view of very small objects Capable of magnifying up to 20,000 times
Endoscope To examine internal parts of the body
Fathometer Measures depth of the ocean
Fiuxmeter Measures magnetic flux
Galvanometer Measures electric current
Hydrometer Measures the relative density of liquids
Hygrometer Measures level of humidity
Hydrophone Measures sound under water
Hygroscope Shows the changes in atmospheric humidity
Hypsometer To determine boiling point of liquids
Lactometer Measures the relative density of milk to determine purity
Machmeter Determines the speed of an aircraft in terms of the speed of sound
Magnetometer Compares magnetic moments of magnets and fields
Manometer Measures the pressure of gases
Micrometer Measures distances/angles
Aerophone Converts sound waves into electrical vibrations
Instrument Use
Microscope To obtain a magnified view of small objects
Nephetometer Measures the scattering of light by particles suspended in a liquid
Ohmmeter To measure electrical resistance in ohms
Ondometer Measures the frequency of electromagnetic waves, especially in the radio-frequency band
Periscope To view objects above sea level (used in submarines)
Photometer Compares the luminous intensity of the source of light
Polygraph Instrument that simultaneously records changes in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood-pressure and respiration; used as a lie detector
Pyknometer Determines the density and coefficient of expansion of liquids
Pyrheliometer Measures components of solar radiation
Pyrometer Measures very high temperature
Quadrant Measures altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy
Radar To detect the direction and range of an approaching aeroplane by means of radiowaves, (Radio, Angle, Detection and Range)
Radio micrometer Measures heat radiation
Refractometer Measures refractive indices
Salinometer Determines salinity of solutions
Sextant Used by navigators to find the latitude of a place by measuring the elevation above the horizon of the sun or another star; also used to measure the height of very distant objects
Spectroscope To observe or record spectra
Spectrometer Spectroscope equipped with calibrated scale to measure the position of spectral lines (Measurement of refractive indices)
Spherometer Measures curvature of spherical objects
Sphygmometer Measures blood pressure
Stereoscope To view two-dimensional pictures
Stethoscope Used by doctors to hear and analyze heart and lung sounds
Stroboscope To view rapidly moving objects
Tachometer To determine speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft (used in aeroplanes and motor-boats)
Galvanometer Measures the strength of direct current
Telemeter Records physical happenings at a distant place
Teleprinter Receives and sends typed messages from one place to another
Telescope To view distant objects in space
Thermometer Measures Temperature
Thermostat Regulates temperature at a particular point
Tonometer To measure the pitch of a sound
Transponder To receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately
Udometer Rain gauge
Ultrasonoscope To measure and use ultrasonic sound (beyond hearing); use to make a Ecogram to detect brain tumours, heart defects and abnormal growth
Venturimeter To measure the rate of flow of liquids
Vernier Measures small sub-division of scale
Viscometer Measures the viscosity of liquid
Voltmeter To measure electric potential difference between two points
Wattmeter To measure the power of an electric circuit
Wavemeter To measure the wavelength of a radiowave