Introduction
Scientific Instruments are tools or devices primarily used for observations and measurements. The Scientific Instruments are used for various scientific experiments and scientific evaluations. These precision instruments are highly accurate in giving precise reading, which is significantly critical in case of scientific experiments. Important Scientific Instruments are also used to study the natural phenomena and theoretical research. Examples: Barometer, Thermometer, Microscope.
Instruments
Important Scientific Instruments - Names and Purpose:
| Scientific Instruments | Use of Scientific Instrument |
|---|---|
| Accumulator | Storage of Arithmetic and Logic Data in a computer's CPU (central processing unit) |
| Altimeter | Measures altitudes (Used in aircraft) |
| Ammeter | Measures strength of electric current (in amperes) |
| Anemometer | Measures force and velocity of wind and directions |
| Audiometer | Measures intensity of sound |
| Barograph | Continuous recording of atmospheric pressure |
| Barometer | Measures atmospheric pressure |
| Binoculars | To view distant objects |
| Bolometer | To measure heat radiation |
| Callipers | Measure inner and outer diameters of bodies |
| Calorimeter | Measures quantities of heat |
| Cardiogram(ECG) | Traces movements of the heart ; recorded on a Cardiograph |
| Cathetometer | Determines heights, measurement of levels, etc, in scientific experiments |
| Chronometer | Determines longitude of a vessel at sea |
| Colorimeter | Compares intensity of colours |
| Commutator | To change / reverse the direction of electric current; Also used to convert AC into DC |
| Cryometer | A Type of thermometer used to measure very low temperatures, usually close to 0`C |
| Cyclotron | A Charged particle accelerator which can accelerate charged particles to high energies |
| Dilatometer | Measures changed in volume of substances |
| Dyanamo | To Covert mechanical energy into electrical energy |
| Dynamometer | Measure electrical power |
| Electronecephalo | Records and interprets the electrical waves of the |
| Graph(EEC) | Brain (brain waves ) recorded on electroence phalograms |
| Electrometer | Measures very small but potential difference in electric currents |
| Electroscope | Detects presence of an electric Charge |
| Eletromicroscope | To obtain a magnifying view of very small objects capable of magnifying up to 20,000 times |
| Endoscope | To examine internal parts of the body |
| Fathometer | Measures depth of the flux |
| Fluxmeter | Measures magnetic flux |
| Galvanometer | Measures electric current |
| Hydrometer | Measures the relative density of liquids |
| Hygrometer | Measure level of humidity |
| Hydrophone | Measure sound under water |
| Hygroscope | Shows the changes in atmospheric humidity |
| Hypsometer | To determine boiling point of liquids |
| Hymograph | Graphically records physiological movement. (e.g.,blood pressure/heartbeat) |
| Lactometer | Measures the relative density of milk to determine purity |
| Machmeter | Determines the speed of an aircraft in terms if the speed of sound |
| Manometer | Compares magnetic movement and fields |
| Manometer | Measures the pressure of gases |
| Micrometer | Coverts sound waves into electrical vibrations |
| Microphone | Measure distances /angles |
| Microscope | To obtain a magnified view of small objects |
| Nephetometer | Measures the scattering of light by particles suspended in a liquid |
| Ohmmeter | To measures electrical resistance in objects |
| Ondometer | Measures the frequency if electromagnetic waves, especially in the radio-frequency band |
| Periscope | To view objects above sea level (Used in submarines) |
| Photometer | Compares the luminous intensity of the source of light |
| Polygraph | Instrument that simultaneously records changed in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure the respiration used a lie detector |
| Pyknometer | Determines the density and coefficient of expansion of liquids |
| Pyrometer | Measures very high temperature |
| Quadrant | Measures altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy |
| Radar | To detect the direction and ranges of an approaching aeroplane by means of radiowaves, ( Radio, Angle ,Detection and Range ) |
| Radio Micrometer | Measures heat radiation |
| Refractometer | Measures salinity of solutions |
| Sextant | Used by navigators to find the latitude of place by measuring the elevation above the horizon of the sun or another star; also used to measure the height of very distant objects |
| Spectrometer | Spectroscope equipped with calibrated scale to measure the position of spectral lines (Measure of Refractive indices) |
| Spherometer | Measures curvature of spherical objects |
| Tachometer | To determine speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft (Used in aeroplanes and motor-boats) |
| Tangent galvanometer | Measure the strength of direct current |
| Telemeter | Records physical happenings at a distant place |
| Telwprinter | Receives and sends typed messages from one place to another |
| Telescope | To view distant objects in space |
| Thermometer | Measure Temperature |
| Thermostat | Regulates temperature at a particular point |
| Tonometer | To measure the pitch of a sound |
| Transponder | To receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately |
| Udometer | Rain gauge |
| Ultrasonoscope | To measure and use ultrasonic sound (beyond hearing use to make a Ecogram to detect brain tumours, heart defects and abnormal growth |
| Venturimeter | To measure the rate of flow of liquids |
| Vernier | Measures Small sub-division of scale |
| Viscometer | Measures the viscosity of liquid |
| Voltmeter | To measure electric potential difference between two points |
| Wattmeter | To measure the power of an electric circuit |
| Wavemeter | To measure the wavelength of a radiowave |
Quiz
Q1. Which of the following pair is INCORRECT?
- I. Parsec - Distance
II. Barrel - Liquid
III. Light year - Time
A. Only III
B. Only I and III
C. Only II
D. All are correct
Answer: A
- A. Newton's law
B. Pascal's law
C. Archimedes's law
D. Joule's law
Answer: B
- A. Parallax method
B. Sandbox method
C. Transit-time method
D. Interferometer methods
Answer: A
- A. Nephoscope
B. Orchidometer
C. Oscilloscope
D. Manometer
Answer: A
- A. Tachometer
B. Chronometer
C. Odometer
D. Pyrometer
Answer: C
- A. Velocity
B. Air masses
C. Wind speed
D. Temperature
Answer: C
- A. Motion of the ground
B. Seismic waves by volcanic eruptions
C. Specific gravity of liquids
D. A & B
Answer: D
- A. Galvanometer
B. Potentiometer
C. Spectrophotometer
D. Spectroheliograph
Answer: D
- A. Anemometer
B. Barometer
C. Hygrometer
D. Thermometer
Answer: B
- A. Barometer
B. Anemometer
C. Thermometer
D. Hygrometer
Answer: D