Scientific Instruments and Appliances
Altimeter — is a special type of aneroid barometer, used in measuring altitudes.
Ammeter — is an instrument to measure the strength of an electric current.
Amplifier — is an electronic device that increases the strength of a signal fed into it.
Anemometer — is an instrument to measure the velocity and find the direction of the wind.
Audiometer — is an instrument to measure difference in hearing.
Barometer — is used for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Binocular — is an optical instrument designed for magnified view of distant objects by both eyes simultaneously.
Calorimeter — is an instrument for measuring quantities of heat.
Chronometer — is a clock to determine longitude of a vessel at sea.
Clinical Thermometer — is a thermometer for measuring the temperature of human body.
Colorimeter — is an instrument for comparing intensities of colour.
Commutator— is an instrument to change or reverse the direction of an electric current. In dynamo, it is used to convert the alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).
Computer — is a technical device designed to find instantaneous solutions of huge and complex calculations based on the information already fed.
Crescograph — is an instrument for measuring the growth of plants. This was invented by an Indian, Mr. J.C. Bose, a renowned botanist.
Cyclotron — is an apparatus for electromagnetic acceleration of charged atoms. It has made possible to make ordinary elements radioactive, leading to production of radioactive isotopes.
Dictaphone — is a machine which first records what is spoken into it and then reproduces it in type.
Disk — is most commonly used means of storing programs and data on a computer.
Dynamo — is a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Dynamometer — is an instrument for measuring the electrical power.
Electrocardiograph (ECG) — is an instrument used for detection of electric impulses of the heart. It gives a graphic picture of heart beats.
Electroencephalograph (EEG) — is an instrument used for recording change in electric potential in various areas of the brain by means of electrodes on the scalp or in the brain itself.
Electrometer — is an instrument for measuring electricity.
Electrophorus — is an instrument for generating statical electricity by induction.
Electroscope — is an instrument for detecting the presence of electric charge.
Eudiometer — is a glass tube for measuring volume changes in chemical reactions between gases.
Galvanometer — is an instrument for measuring electric current.
Gyroscope — is a rapidly rotating heavy wheel that keeps the stability of its axis. It was invented in 1852 to demonstrate the rotation of earth. These days it is used as ship stabiliser.
Hydrometer — is an instrument for measuring the relative density of liquids.
Hydrophone — is an instrument for measuring sound under water.
Hydroscope — is an optical instrument used for seeing objects below the surface of water.
Hygrometer — is an instrument for measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere.
Hygroscope — is an instrument to show the changes in atmospheric humidity.
Hypsometer — is an instrument to measure the height above sea level. It is an apparatus for determining the boiling point of liquid. Since the boiling points of liquids have a direct relationship with atmospheric pressure and atmospheric pressure with altitude, therefore, the instrument may be used for the determination of altitude above sea level. This instrument is generally used by the mountaineers.
Inclinometer — is an instrument for measuring the angle of inclination that an aircraft makes with the horizontal.
Incubator — is a box designed to maintain a constant internal temperature used for rearing chickens and prematurely-born infants.
Kymograph — is an instrument for recording variations in pressure, for example, for sound-waves.
Lactometer — is an instrument for measuring the relative density of milk.
Magnetometer — is an instrument used to compare the magnetic moments and fields.
Manometer — is an instrument to measure the pressure of gases.
Mariner's Compass — is an apparatus for determining direction, graduated to indicate 33 directions. The "N" point on the dial indicates north pole and the "S" point, south pole.
Megaphone — is an instrument for carrying sound to long distances.
Micrometer — is an instrument used for accurately measuring small distances or angles.
Microphone — is an instrument used for converting sound waves into electrical energy which is transmitted through wires and then recovered into sound in a magnified intensity.
Microscope is an instrument for magnified view of very small objects.
Periscope — is an apparatus for viewing objects lying above the eye level of the observer and whose direct vision is obstructed. It consists of a tube bent twice at right angles and having plane mirrors at these bends inclined at angles of 45° to the tube.
Photometer — is an instrument for comparing the luminous intensity of the sources of light.
Planimeter — is a mechanical integrating instrument to measure area of a plane surface.
Pyknometer — is an instrument used to measure the density and co-efficient of expansion of liquid.
Pyrheliometer — is an instrument for measuring solar radiations.
Pyrometers — are thermometers to measure high temperatures.
Quadrant — is an instrument for measuring altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy.
Quartz clock — is a highly accurate clock used in astronomical observations and other precision work.
Radar (acronym of radio detection and ranging) — is used for detecting and finding the range of moving objects by transmitting beams of radio waves.
Radio Micrometer — is an instrument for measuring heat radiations.
Rain Gauge — is an instrument for measuring rainfall.
Rectifier — is a device that passes current only in the forward direction and can be used as AC to DC convertor.
Refractometer — is an instrument used to measure the refractive index of a substance.
Repeater — is a device that receives signals in one circuit and automatically delivers corresponding signals to one or more circuits.
Resistance Thermometer — is used for determining the electrical resistance of conductor.
Salinometer — is a type of hydrometer used to determine the concentration of salt solutions by measuring their densities.
Seismograph or Seismometer — is an instrument used for recording the intensity and origin of earthquake shocks.
Sextant — is an instrument used for measuring angular distances between two objects.
Spectrometer — is a type of spectroscope so calibrated as to make it suitable for the precise measurement of refractive indices.
Spectroscope — is an instrument used for spectrum analysis.
Spherometer — is an instrument used for accurately measuring the curvature of spherical objects.
Sphygmomanometer — is an apparatus for measuring blood pressure.
Spring Balance — is used to measure the mass of a body. It is preferred only when quick but approximate determinations are to be carried out.
Stereoscope — is an optical device to see two dimensional pictures as having depth and solidity.
Stethoscope — is an instrument for hearing and analysing the sound of heart and lungs.
Stroboscope — is an instrument used for viewing the objects moving rapidly with a periodic motion and to see them as if they were at rest.
Tangent Galvanometer — is an instrument for measuring the strength of direct current.
Tape Recorder — is an apparatus which records and reproduces sound by using magnetic tapes.
Telemeter — is an apparatus for recording physical events happening at a distance.
Telephone — is an apparatus used for transmission of sound.
Teleprinter — is a medium for sending, receiving and printing of telegraphic messages.
Telescope — is an instrument for viewing distant objects as magnified.
Television — is an instrument used for transmitting the visible moving images by means of wireless waves.
Telstar — is an instrument used for transmitting wireless and television broadcasts across continents via space.
Thermometer — is an instrument to measure the temperature.
Thermoscope — is used for measuring the temperature change (approximately) of the substance by noting the corresponding change in volume.
Thermostat — is an automatic device for regulating constant temperatures.
Transistor — is a small device which may be used to amplify currents and perform other functions usually performed by a thermionic valve.
Vernier — is an adjustable scale with marking of 10 sub-divisions of one-tenth of an inch or any other suitable markings for measuring small subdivisions of scale.
Viscometer — is an instrument for measuring the viscosity, i.e., the property of resistance of a fluid to relative motion within itself.
Voltmeter — is an instrument to measure potential difference between two points.
Wattmeter — is an instrument for the direct measurement of power in watts of an electrical circuit.
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