List of Scientific Instruments & their Usages

Important Scientific Instruments & their Usages

Instrument	Usage
Actinometer	An instrument for measuring the intensity of radiation, especially ultraviolet radiation.
Altimeter	An instrument used in aircrafts for measuring altitudes
Ammeter	Measures electric current
Anemometer	Used to measure the speed, direction and pressure of the wind.
Audiometer	Measures intensity of sound
Barograph	Continuous recording of atmospheric pressure
Barometer	Measures atmospheric pressure and conditions.
Binoculars	An optical instrument used for magnified view of distant objects.
Bolometer	Measures infra-red (Heat) radiation.
Callipers	Measures diameters of thin cylinder/wire.
Calorimeter	Measures quantity of heat
Carburettor	Used for charging air with petrol vapours in an internal combustion engine.
Cardiogram(ECG)	Traces movements of the heart ,recorded on a Cardiograph
Cathetometer	Determines heights and levels
Chronometer	Determines longitude of a vessel at sea.
Cinematograph	Used for projecting pictures on the screen.
Colorimeter	Compares intensity of colours
Commutator	Used in generators to reverse the direction of electric current.
Crescograph	Used for measuring growth in plants.
Cryometer	Measurement of low temperature.
Cyclotron	Used for accelerating charged particles in microwave oscillator
Dilatometer	Measures change in volume of substances
Dynamo	Coverts mechanical energy into electrical energy
Electrometer	Measures very small but potential difference in electric currents
Electrometer	Used for measuring electrical potential difference.
Electroscope	Detects presence of an electric Charge
Electron microscope	Used to obtain a magnifying view of very small objects (20,000 times).
Endoscope	To examine internal parts of the body
Fathometer	Measures depth of the ocean
Fluxmeter	Measures magnetic flux
Galvanometer	Measures electric current
Gramophone	Used to reproducing recorded sound.
Hydrometer	Measures the relative density of liquids
Hydrophone	Measure sound under water
Hygrometer	Used to measure the moisture content or the humidity of air or any gas.
Hygroscope	Shows the changes in atmospheric humidity
Hypsometer	Determines boiling point of liquids.
Lactometer	Measures the relative density of milk.
Machmeter	Determines the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound
Manometer	Compares magnetic movement and fields
Manometer	Used to measure atmospheric pressure
Micrometer	Coverts sound waves into electrical vibration
Microphone	Converts sound waves into electrical signals.
Microscope	Used to obtain a magnified view of small objects
Nephetometer	Measures the scattering of light by particles suspended in a liquid
Odometer	An instrument attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance travelled.
Ohmmeter	Measures electrical resistance of objects
Ondometer	Measures the frequency of electromagnetic waves(radio waves)
Optometer	Used for testing the refractive power of the eye.
Otoscope	Used for visual examination of the eardrum.
Periscope	Used to view objects above sea level (Used in submarines).
Phonograph	Used for reproducing sound.
Photometer	Compares the luminous intensity of the two sources of light
Polygraph	It simultaneously records changed in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure & the respiration (used as lie detector)
Pyrheliometer	Used for measuring Solar radiation.
Pyrometer	Measures very high temperature.
Quadrant	Measures altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy
Radar	Radio, Detection and Ranging.
Rain Gauge	Measures Rainfall.
Refractometer	Measures salinity of solutions
Refractometer	Measures a Refractive Index of a substance.
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
Sextant	Used for measuring angular distance between two objects.
Siesmograph	Used for recording the intensity and origin of earthquakes shocks.
Spectroscope	Used for Spectrum analysis.
Speedometer	An instrument used for measuring speed of the vehicle.
Spherometer	Measures curvature of spherical objects.
Sphygmomanometer	Measures blood pressure.
Stethoscope	Used for hearing and analysing the sound of Heart.
Tachometer	To determine speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft(rpm)
Tangent galvanometer	Measure the amount of direct current(DC)
Telemeter	Records physical happenings at a distant place(space)
Telescope	Used for magnified view of distant objects.
Tensiometer	an instrument for measuring the surface tension of liquids
Thermometer	Measures Temperature
Thermostat	Automatically regulates temperatures at a constant point.
Tonometer	Measures the pitch of a sound
Transformer	An apparatus used for converting high voltage to low and vice-versa without change in its frequency.
Transponder	To receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately in satellites.
Venturimeter	Measures the rate of flow of liquids
Vernier	Measures Small sub-division of scale.
Viscometer	Measures Viscosity of liquid.
Voltmeter	Used to measure electric potential difference between two points
Wattmeter	To measure electric power
Wavemeter	To measure the wavelength of a radiowave(high frequency waves)