Physics Major scientific instruments and their uses

Instrument

Uses

Accelerometer

Measures acceleration

Altimeter

Measures altitude of an aircraft

Ammeter

Measures electric current in ampere

Anemometer

Measures wind speed

Accumulator

It is used to store electrical energy

Audiometer

It measures the intensity of sound.

Audiphones

It is used for improving the imperfect sense of hearing.

Barometer

Measures atmospheric pressure

Bolometer

Measures radiant energy

Barograph

It is used for continuous recording of atmospheric pressure

Binocular

It is used to view distant objects

Caliper

Measures distance

Calorimeter

Measures heat (in chemical reaction)

Crescograph

Measures growth in plant

Carburetor

It is used in an internal combustion engine for charging the air with petrol vapor

Cardiogram

It traces movements of the heart, recorded on a cardiograph.

Chronometer

It determines the longitude of a place in a ship.

Cinematography

It is an instrument used in cinema making to throw on screen and enlarged image of the photograph

Commutator

An instrument to change or remove the direction of an electric current, in dynamo used to convert alternating current into direct current.

Colorimeter

An instrument for comparing intensities of colour

Cresco graph

It measures the growth in plants.

Cyclotron

A charged particle accelerator which can accelerate charged

particles to high energies.

Dynamometer

Measures torque

Dynamo

It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

Electrometer

Measures electric charge

Electroscope

It detects the presence of an electric charge

Ellipsometer

Measures optical refractive indices

Endoscope

It examines the internal parts of the body

Fathometer

Measures depth (in sea)

Gravimeter

Measures the local gravitational field of the Earth

Galvanometer

Measures electric current

Hydrometer

Measures specific gravity of liquid

Hydrophones

Measures sound wave under water

Hygrometer

Measures atmospheric humidity

Kymograph

It graphically records physiological movements (Blood

pressure and heartbeat)

Inclinometer

Measures angel of slope

Interferometer

Infrared light spectra

Lactometer

Measures purity of milk

Magnetograph

Measures magnetic field

Manometer

Measures pressure of gas

Mariner’s compass

magnify the sound.

It is an instrument used by the sailors to determine the

direction.

Microphone

It converts the sound waves into electrical vibrations and to

Microscope

It is used to obtain a magnied view of small objects

Ohmmeter

Measures electric resistance

Odometer

Measures distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle

Photometer

Measures intensity of light

Pyrometer

Measures temperature of a surface

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.

Radiometer

Measures intensity or force radiation

Radar

Detects distance object, e.g. aircraft, etc.

Rain Gauge

An apparatus for recording rainfall at a particular place.

Refractometer

It measures refractive index

Sextant

Measures angle between two visible objects

Seismometer

Measures motion of the ground (earthquake/seismic waves)

Spectrometer

Measures spectra (light spectrum)

Saccharimeter

It measures the amount of sugar in the solution.

Salinometer

It determines salinity of solution.

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

Spherometer

It measures the curvatures of surfaces.

Sphygmomanometer

It measures blood pressure

Stereoscope

It is used to view two dimensional pictures

Stethoscope

An instrument which is used by the doctors to hear and

analyse heart and lung sounds.

Stroboscope

It is used to view rapidly moving objects.

Theodolite

Measures horizontal and vertical angles

Thermopile

Measures small quantities of radiant heat

Thermometer

Measures temperature

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

Thermostat

It regulates the temperature at a particular point.

Transistor

A small device which may be used to amplify currents and

perform other functions usually performed by a thermionic

valve

Transponder

It is used to receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately

Tonometer

To measure the pitch of a sound

Udometer

Measures amount of rainfall

Viscometer

Measures the viscosity of fluid

Voltmeter

Measures volt

Venturi meter

Measures flow of liquid

Vernier

An adjustable scale for measuring small subdivisions of scale