More Study material on www.study4success.

in

COMPLETE LIST OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS

Instrument Use
Altimeter Measures altitude
Ammeter Measures strength of electric current
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 Measures inner and outer diameters of bodies
Calorimeter Measures Quantities of Heat
Cardiogram a record of muscle activity within the heart made
by a cardiograph
Cathetometer a telescope mounted on a graduated scale, used
for accurate measurement of small vertical
distances
Chronometer an instrument for measuring time accurately in
spite of motion or variations in temperature,
humidity, and air pressure
Colorimeter an instrument for measuring the intensity of
colour
Commutator a device for reversing the direction of flow of
electric current
Cryometer a thermometer for measuring lower
temperatures than a mercury thermometer will
register
Cyclotron an apparatus in which charged atomic and
subatomic particles are accelerated by an
alternating electric field while following an
outward spiral or circular path in a magnetic field
Dilatometer instrument that measures volume changes
caused by a physical or chemical process
Dyanamo a machine for converting mechanical energy into
electrical energy
Dynamometer an instrument which measures the power output
of an engine
Electronecephalograph (EEC) the measurement of electrical activity in
different parts of the brain and its recording as a
visual trace
Electrometer an instrument for measuring electrical potential
without drawing any current from the circuit
Electroscope an instrument for detecting and measuring

www.study4success.in
 More Study material on www.study4success.in

presence of electric charge

Electro microscope a microscope with high magnification and
resolution to view very small objects
Endoscope an instrument to view internal parts of the body
Fathometer a type of echo sounder to measure depth of
ocean
Fluxmeter an instrument for measuring magnetic-flux
Galvanometer an instrument for measuring small electric
currents
Hydrometer an instrument for measuring the density of
liquids
Hygrometer an instrument for measuring the humidity of the
air or a gas
Hydrophone a microphone which detects sound waves under
water
Hygroscope an instrument which gives an indication of the
humidity of the air
Hypsometer a device for calibrating thermometers at the
boiling point of water at a known height above
sea level
Kymograph an instrument for recording variations in
pressure, e.g. in sound waves or in blood within
blood vessels
Lactometer an instrument for measuring the density of milk
Machmeter an instrument in an aircraft indicating airspeed
as a Mach number
Magnetometer an instrument used for measuring magnetic
forces
Manometer an instrument for measuring the pressure acting
on a column of fluid
Micrometer a gauge which measures small distances or
thicknesses between its two faces
Microphone an instrument for converting sound waves into
electrical energy variations which may then be
amplified, transmitted, or recorded
Microscope an optical instrument used for viewing very small
objects
Nephelometer an instrument for measuring the size and
concentration of particles suspended in a liquid
or gas
Ohmmeter an instrument for measuring electrical resistance
Ondometer A meter for registering the frequency of
electromagnetic waves
Periscope an optical instrument for viewing objects that
are above the level of direct sight
Photometer an instrument for measuring the intensity of
light
Polygraph a machine designed to detect and record
changes in physiological characteristics, such as a
person's pulse and breathing rates

www.study4success.in
 More Study material on www.study4success.in

Pyknometer device used to determine the density of a liquid

Pyrheliometer an instrument for measurement of direct beam
solar irradiance
Pyrometer an instrument for measuring high temperatures
Quadrant an instrument used for taking angular
measurements of altitude in astronomy and
navigation
Radar a system for detecting the presence, direction,
distance, and speed of aircraft, ships, by sending
out pulses of radio waves which are reflected off
the object back to the source
Radio Micrometer an instrument for measuring small amounts of
radiant energy
Refractometer an instrument for measuring a refractive index
Salinometer an instrument for measuring the salinity of water
Sextant used for measuring the angular distances
between objects
Spectroscope an apparatus for producing and recording
spectra for examination.
Spectrometer an apparatus used for recording and measuring
spectra
Spherometer an instrument for the precise measurement of
the radius of a sphere.
Sphygmomanometer an instrument for measuring blood pressure
Stereoscope a device by which two photographs of the same
object taken at slightly different angles are
viewed together
Stethoscope a medical instrument for listening to the action
of someone's heart or breathing
Stroboscope an instrument for studying periodic motion
Tachometer an instrument which measures the working
speed of an engine especially rotational speed of
a shaft (used in aeroplanes and motor-boats)
Tacheometer a type of theodolite designed for the rapid
measurement of distances, elevations, and
directions
Tangent Galvanometer an instrument for measuring small electric
currents
Telemeter an apparatus for recording the readings of an
instrument & transmitting them by radio
Teleprinter a device for transmitting telegraph messages as
they are keyed, and for printing messages
received
Telescope an optical instrument to view distant objects
Thermometer an instrument for measure temperature
Thermostat a device that automatically regulates
temperature
Tonometer An instrument for measuring the pitch of
musical tones
Transponder a device for receiving a radio signal and

www.study4success.in
 More Study material on www.study4success.in

automatically transmitting reply

Udometer Rain gauge
Ultrasonoscope Measure and use ultrasonic sound; use to make
an Ecogram to detect brain tumours, heart
defects
Venturimeter Measures the velocity, or flow rate, of fluid
flowing through a pipeline
Vernier Measures small sub-division of scale
Viscometer an instrument for measuring the viscosity of
liquids
Voltmeter an instrument for measuring electric potential
between two points
Wattmeter a meter for measuring electric power in watts
Wavemeter wavemeter is aninstrument used to measure the
frequency of radio waves

www.study4success.in