Important Scientific Instruments and their usage

Accumulator

It is used to store electrical energy

Altimeter

It measures altitudes and is used in aircrafts.

Ammeter

It measures strength of electric current (in amperes).

Anemometer

It measures force and velocity of wind.

Audiometer

It measures intensity of sound.

Audiphones

It is used for improving 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

It measures heat radiation

Calorimeter

It measures quantity of heat.

Carburettor

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 the longitude of a place kept onboard ship.

Cinematography

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

Colorimeter

An instrument for comparing intensities of colour.

Commutator

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

Cresco graph

It measures the growth in plants.

Cyclotron

A charged particle accelerator which can accelerate charged particles to high energies.

Dynamo

It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

Dynamometer

It measures force, torque and power

Electroscope

It detects presence of an electric charge.

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.

Galvanometer

It measures the electric current of low magnitude.

Hydrometer

It measures the specific gravity of liquids.

Hydrophone

It measures sound under water.

Hygrometer

It measures humidity in air.

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.

Periscope

It is used to view objects above sea level (used in sub-marines)

Phonograph

An instrument for producing sound.

Photometer

The instrument compares the luminous intensity of the source of light

Potentiometer

It is used for comparing electromotive force of cells.

Pyrometer

It measures very high temperature.

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 aeroplane by means of radio micro waves

Radiometer

It measures the emission of radiant energy.

Rain Gauge

An apparatus for recording rainfall at a particular place.

Rectifier

An instrument used for the conversion of AC into DC.

Refractometer

It measures refractive index.

Saccharimeter

It measures the amount of sugar in the solution.

Salinometer

It determines salinity of solution.

Seismograph

It measures the intensity of earthquake shocks.

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.

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.

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.

Thermometer

This instrument is used for the measurement of temperatures.

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

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

It measures the viscosity of liquids.

Voltmeter

It measures the electric potential difference between two points.