Scientific Instruments - Information about Scientific Instruments
Scientific instruments are the tools used to aid people in scientific experimentation, measurements, etc. Here is a list of most popular scientific instruments along with their use .
List of Scientific Instruments & their use
Name of Instrument | Use of Instrument |
Altimeter | Measures altitude (uses in aircraft) |
Ammeter | Measures strength of electric current |
Anemometer | Measures force and velocity of wind and determines its direction |
Audiometer | Measures intensity of sound |
Barometer | Measures atmospheric pressure |
Balometer | Measures heat radiation |
Callipers | Measures inner and outer diameter of solids |
Calorimeter | Measures quantities of heat |
Cardiogram (ECG) | Traces movements of the heat, recorded on a cardiograph |
Chronometer | Determines longitude of a vessel at sea |
Cryometer | Measures very low temperatures, usually below 0 o C |
Dynamo | Convert Mechanical energy into electric energy |
Dynamometer | Measures electric power |
Electroencephalograph
(EEC) |
Record and interprets the electrical waves of the brain recorded on electroencephalograph |
Electrometer | Measures very small, potential difference in electric current |
Electroscope | Detects presence of an electric current |
Endoscope | Examines internal organs of the body |
Fathometer | Measures depth of the ocean |
Fluxmeter | Measures magnetic flux |
Galvanometer | Measures the electrical current |
Hydrometer | Measures the relative density of liquids |
Hygrometer | Measures level of humidity |
Hydrophone | Measures sound under water |
Kymograph | Graphically record physiological movements (e.g., blood pressure/heartbeat) |
Lactometer | Measures the relative density of milk to determine purity (fat content) |
Manometer | Measures the pressure of gases |
Microphone | Converts sound waves into electrical signals |
Microscope | To obtain a magnified of light by particles suspended in a liquid |
Ohmmeter | Measures electrical resistance in ohms |
Ondometer | Measures the frequency of electromagnetic waves |
Periscope | To view objects above sea level (used in submarines) |
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 altitude and angles in navigation and astronomy |
Radar | Detects the direction and range of an approaching aeroplane by means of an radio waves (Radio, Angle, Detection and Range) |
Refractometer | Measures refractive indices |
Resistance Thermometer | An accurate type of thermometer in which temperature is measured by determining the electrical resistance of a coil of thin wire |
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 measures the height of distant objects |
Sphygmomanometer | Measures Blood pressure |
Stereoscope | Used to view two - dimensional pictures |
Stethoscope | Used by doctors to hear and analyze heat and jung sounds |
Stroboscope | Used to view rapidly moving objects |
Tachometer | Determines speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft (used in motor vehicles, aeroplanes and motor-boats) |
Tacheometer | Used to measure distance, elevations and bearings during survey |
Telescope | Used to view distant objects in space |
Theodolite | Measures horizontal and vertical angles |
Tonometer | Measures the pitch of sound |
Transponder | Used to receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately |
Udometer | Rain gauge |
Venturi meter | Measures rate of flow of liquids |
Viscometer | Measures the viscosity of liquids |
Voltmeter | Used to measure potential difference between two points |
Wattmeter | Measures the power of an electric circuit |
Wavemeter | Measures the wavelength of a radio wave |