- Science has helped in making our lives easier and better. The scientific study requires carrying out various experiments and analyzing the data which is obtained. Various instruments act as aids in this pursuit of knowledge.
- Here is a list of some important scientific instruments that you must know about. Remember that this is just a suggestive list and not exhaustive by any count. Use this as a tool to aid and forward your preparation.
- Altimeter: Measures altitude (usually used in aircraft).
- Audiometer: Measures the intensity of sound.
- Accumulator: It is used to store electrical energy.
- Ammeter: It measures the strength of electric current (in amperes).
Try yourself:What does an Altimeter measure?
An altimeter is a device that measures altitude—a location's distance above sea level. Most altimeters are barometric, meaning they measure altitude by calculating the location's air pressure.
- Anemometer: It measures the force and velocity of the wind.
- Audiphones: It is used for improving the imperfect sense of hearing.
- Barograph: It is used for continuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
- Barometer: It measures atmospheric pressure.
- Binocular: It is used to view distant objects.
- Bolometer: Measures heat radiation.
Try yourself:Which is used to measure heat radiation?
Bolometer, instrument for measuring radiation by means of the rise in temperature of a blackened metal strip in one of the arms of a resistance bridge.
- Colorimeter: Compares the intensity of colours.
- Calorimeter: It measures the quantity of heat.
- Carburettor: It is used in an internal combustion engine for charging the air with petrol vapour.
- Cardiogram: It traces movements of the heart, recorded on a cardiograph.
- Chronometer: It determines the longitude of a place on a ship.
- Cinematograph: It is an instrument used in cinema making to throw on screen and enlarged image of the photograph.
Try yourself:Which is used to compare intensity of colours?
A colorimeter can measure the absorbency of light waves. During colour measurement the change in the intensity of electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength region of the spectrum after transmitting or reflecting by an object or solution is measured.
- Commutator: An instrument to change or remove the direction of an electric current, in dynamo used to convert alternating current into direct current.
- Crescograph: It measures the growth of plants.
- Cyclotron: A charged particle accelerator that can accelerate charged particles to high energies.
- Dynamometer: It measures force, torque, and power.
- Dynamo: Converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
- Electroscope: Detects the presence of an electric charge.
- Endoscope: It examines the internal parts of the body.
- Eudiometer: A glass tube for measuring volume changes in chemical reactions between gases.
- Fathometer: It measures the depth of the ocean.
Try yourself:Which instrument is used to measure the depth of the ocean?
Fathometer is an instrument used in measuring the depth of water by the time required for a sound wave to travel from surface to bottom and for its echo to be returned. It may also be used for measuring the rise and fall of the tides in offshore localities.
- Galvanometer: It measures the electric current of low magnitude.
- Hydrometer: It measures the specific gravity of liquids.
- Hydrophone: It measures sound underwater.
Try yourself:Which is used to measure sound under water?
A hydrophone is used to listen to underwater sounds.
- Hygrometer: Measures moisture content in the atmosphere.
- Hydrophone: Converts acoustic energy into electrical energy (used in passive underwater systems).
- Kymograph: It graphically records physiological movements (Blood pressure and heartbeat).
- Lactometer: It determines the purity of milk.
- Manometer: It measures the pressure of gases.
- Mariner’s compass: It is an instrument used by the sailors to determine the direction.
- Microphone: It converts the sound waves into electrical vibrations and magnifies the sound.
Try yourself:Which device converts sound energy into electrical energy?
Microphones are a type of transducer - a device which converts energy from one form to another. Microphones convert acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical energy (the audio signal).
- Microscope: It is used to obtain a magnified view of small objects.
- Ohmmeter: Measures electric resistance in objects.
- Odometer: An instrument by which the distance covered by wheeled vehicles is measured.
- Periscope: It is used to view objects above sea level (used in submarines).
- Phonograph: An instrument for producing sound.
- Potentiometer: It is used for comparing the electromotive force of cells.
- Photometer: Compares the luminous intensity of the source of light.
- Pyrometer: Measures the temperature of a surface (usually used for very high temperatures).
- Pyknometer: Determines the density and coefficient of expansion of liquids.
- Quartz Clock: A highly accurate clock used in astronomical observations and other precision work.
- Radar: Radio, angle, detection, and range is used to detect the direction and range of an approaching airplane by means of radio microwaves.
- Rain Gauge: An apparatus for recording rainfall at a particular place.
- Rectifier: An instrument used for the conversion of AC into DC.
- Radiometer: Measures the emission of radiant energy (radiant flux of electromagnetic radiation).
- Refractometer: Measures refractive index.
- Salinometer: Determines salinity of the solution.
- Seismograph: Measures the intensity of earthquake shocks.
Try yourself:Which instrument is used to measure the intensity of earthquake?
The instrument used to measure the intensity of an earthquake is Seismometer.
- Spherometer: Measures curvature of spherical objects.
- Saccharimeter: It measures the amount of sugar in the solution.
- Sextant: This is used by navigators to find the latitude of a place by measuring the elevation above the horizon of the sun or another star.
- Spectrometer: It is an instrument for measuring the energy distribution of a particular type of radiation.
- Spectroscope: An instrument used for spectrum analysis.
- Speedometer: It is an instrument placed in a vehicle to record its speed.
Try yourself:Name the instrument which indicates speed at which a vehicle is moving?
Speedometer, instrument that indicates the speed of a vehicle, usually combined with a device known as an odometer that records the distance traveled.
- Sphygmomanometer: It measures blood pressure.
- Stereoscope: It is used to view two-dimensional pictures.
- Stethoscope: An instrument that is used by doctors to hear and analyze heart and lung sounds.
Try yourself:The variation in the blood now can be heard With an instrument called____________?
Air is pumped by rubber bulb in to the cuff until blood flow in the artery is stopped, as determined by a stethoscope applied to the lower part of the arm. As air is slowly released, arterial pressure exceeds cuff pressure and a sound of renewed blood flow, known as " Korotkoff sound" can be heard via the stethoscope.
- Stroboscope: It is used to view rapidly moving objects.
- Tachometer: An instrument used in measuring the speeds of aeroplanes and motorboats.
- Teleprinter: This instrument receives and sends typed messages from one place to another.
- Theodolite: It measures horizontal and vertical angles.
- Thermometer: This instrument is used for the measurement of temperatures.
- Thermostat: It regulates the temperature at a particular point.
- Transistor: A small device that may be used to amplify currents and perform other functions usually performed by a thermionic valve.
- Telescope: Views distant objects in space.
- Udometer: It is used to measure the amount of liquid precipitation over a set period of time. It is also called Rain Gauge.
- Vernier: An adjustable scale for measuring small subdivisions of scale.
- Viscometer: Measures the viscosity of liquids.
Try yourself:Which is used to measures the viscocity of liquid?
- Voltmeter: Measures the electric potential difference between two points.
- Watt Meter: The wattmeter is an instrument for measuring the electric active power in watts of any given circuit.
- Wind Vane: A wind vane (also known as a weather vane) is an instrument that tells you the wind direction.
- Zymometer: an instrument for measuring the degree of fermentation.