Scientific Instruments and their Usage

  • Rain Gauge: An apparatus for recording rainfall at a particular place.
  • Radiometer: It measures the emission of radiant energy.
  • Refractometer: It measures· refractive index.
  • Cyclotron: A charged particle accelerator which can accelerate charged particles to high energies.
  • Dynamo: It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
  • Dynamometer: It measures electric power
  • Electrometer: It measure electricity
  • Hygrometer: It measures humidity in air.
  • Hydrophone: It measures sound under water.
  • Electroscope: It detects presence of an electric charge.
  • Galvanometer: It measures the electric current of low magnitude.
  • Hydrometer: It measures the specific gravity of liquids.
  • Potentiometer: It is used for comparing electromotive force of cells.
  • Pyrometer: It measures very high temperature.
  • Cinematography: It is an instrument used in cinema making to throw on screen and enlarged image of photograph.
  • Crescograph: It measures the growth in plants.
  • Kymograph: It graphically records physiological movements (Blood pressure and heart beat).
  • 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 to magnify the sound.
  • Microscope: It is used to obtain magnified view of small objects.
  • Odometer: An instrument by which the distance covered by wheeled vehicles is measured.
  • Phonograph: An instrument for producing sound.
  • Radar: It is used for detecting the direction and range of an approaching plane by means of radio microwaves.
  • Saccharimeter: It measures the amount of sugar in the solution.
  • Photometer: The instrument compares the luminous intensity of the source of light
  • Periscope: It is used to view objects above sea level (used in sub-marines).
  • Endoscope: It examines 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.
  • Ammeter: It measures strength of electric current (in amperes).
  • Audiometer: It measures intensity of sound.
  • Anemometer: It measures force and velocity of wind.
  • Spherometer: It measures the curvatures of surfaces.
  • Stereoscope: It is used to view two dimensional pictures.
  • Stethoscope: An instrument which is used by the doctors to hear and analyze heart and lung sounds.
  • Stroboscope: It is used to view rapidly moving objects.
  • Binocular: It is used to view distant objects
  • Bolometer: It measures heat radiation
  • Calorimeter: It measures quantity of heat.
  • Tachometer: An instrument used in measuring speeds of aero planes and motor boats.
  • Teleprinter: This instrument receives and sends typed messages from one place to another.
  • Telescope: It views distant objects in space.
  • Theodolite: It measures horizontal and vertical angles.
  • Altimeter: It measures altitudes and is used in aircrafts.
  • Audiophone: It is used for improving imperfect sense of hearing.
  • Barograph: It is used for continuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
  • Barometer: It measures atmospheric pressure.
  • Thermometer: This instrument is used for the measurement of temperatures.
  • Thermostat: It regulates the temperature at a particular point.
  • Viscometer: It measures the viscosity of liquids.
  • Voltmeter: It measures the electric potential difference between two points.
  • Spectrometer: It is an instrument for measuring the energy distribution of a particular type of radiation.
  • Speedometer: It is an instrument placed in a vehicle to record its speed.
  • Sphygmomanometer: It measures blood pressure.
  • Carburetor: It is used in an internal combustion engine for charging air with petrol vapour.
  • Cardiogram: It traces movements of the heart, recorded on a cardiograph.
  • Chronometer: It determines longitude of a place kept on-board ship.
  • Seismograph: It measures the intensity of earthquake shocks.
  • Salinometer: It determines salinity of 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.