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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

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