Physics - Major Instruments and Their Uses
The following table illustrates the major scientific instruments and their uses −
| Instrument |
Use |
| Accelerometer |
Measures acceleration |
| Altimeter |
Measures altitude of an aircraft |
| Ammeter |
Measures electric current in ampere |
| Anemometer |
Measures wind speed |
| Barometer |
Measures atmospheric pressure |
| Bolometer |
Measures radiant energy |
| Caliper |
Measures distance |
| Calorimeter |
Measures heat (in chemical reaction) |
| Crescograph |
Measures growth in plant |
| Dynamometer |
Measures torque |
| Electrometer |
Measures electric charge |
| Ellipsometer |
Measures optical refractive indices |
| 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 |
| Inclinometer |
Measures angel of slope |
| Interferometer |
Infrared light spectra |
| Lactometer |
Measures purity of milk |
| Magnetograph |
Measures magnetic field |
| Manometer |
Measures pressure of gas |
| Ohmmeter |
Measures electric resistance |
| Odometer |
Measures distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle |
| Photometer |
Measures intensity of light |
| Pyrometer |
Measures temperature of a surface |
| Radiometer |
Measures intensity or force radiation |
| Radar |
Detects distance object, e.g. aircraft, etc. |
| Sextant |
Measures angle between two visible objects |
| Seismometer |
Measures motion of the ground (earthquake/seismic waves) |
| Spectrometer |
Measures spectra (light spectrum) |
| Theodolite |
Measures horizontal and vertical angles |
| Thermopile |
Measures small quantities of radiant heat |
| Thermometer |
Measures temperature |
| Udometer |
Measures amount of rainfall |
| Viscometer |
Measures the viscosity of fluid |
| Voltmeter |
Measures volt |
| Venturi meter |
Measures flow of liquid |
