Scientific Instruments & Their Uses

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 (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 that can accelerate charged particles to high energies

Dilatometer

Measures changes in volume of substances

Dynamo

Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

Dynamometer

Measures electrical power

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Measures and records the electrical activity of the brain

Electrometer

Measures very small but potential differences in electric currents

Electroscope

Detects the presence of an electric charge

Electron Microscope

To obtain a magnifying view of very small objects, capable of magnifying up to 20,000 times

Endoscope

To examine the internal parts of the body

Fathometer

Measures depth of the ocean

Fluxmeter

Measures magnetic flux

Galvanometer

Measures electric current

Hydrometer

Measures the relative density of liquids

Hygrometer

Measures the level of humidity

Hydrophone

Measures sound underwater

Hygroscope

Shows the changes in atmospheric humidity

Hypsometer

To determine the boiling point of liquids

Kymograph

Graphically records physiological movement (e.g., blood pressure/heartbeat)

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 the magnetic moments of magnets and fields

Manometer

Measures the pressure of gases

Micrometer

Measures distances/angles

Microphone

Converts sound waves into electrical vibrations

Microscope

To obtain a magnified view of small objects

Nephelometer

Measures the scattering of light by particles suspended in a liquid

Odometer

To measure the distance traveled by a vehicle

Ohmmeter

To measure electrical resistance in ohms

Odometer

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

An 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 radio waves (Radio, Angle, Detection, and Range)

Radio microphone

Measures heat radiation

Refractometer

Measures refractive indices

Salinometer

Determines the 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

Sonar

Used to detect objects underwater

Spectroscope

To observe or record spectra

Spectrometer

A 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 motorboats)

Tacheometer

A theodolite adapted to measure distances, elevations, and bearings during survey

Tangent 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); used to make an ecogram to detect brain tumors, heart defects, and abnormal growth

Venturimeter

To measure the rate of flow of liquids

Vernier

Measures small subdivisions of a scale

Viscometer

Measures the viscosity of liquids

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 radio wave