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Scientific instruments are devices used for scientific purposes that are for indicating, measuring and recording physical quantities. They are used for both natural phenomena and theoretical research. Let us tell you that instruments in the digital era mainly depends upon the integration with computers to improve and simplify control and extend instrumental functions, conditions, adjusting parameters, data sampling, etc. Here we are giving list of various scientific instruments, their uses and name of the inventors which will be helpful in several competitive examination preparations.

List of Scientific Instruments & their uses | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE

InstrumentQuantity Measured
Accelerometerphysical acceleration
Actinometerheating power of sunlight
Alcholmeteralcoholic strength of liquids
Altimeteraltitudes
Ammeterelectric current
Anemometerwindspeed
Audimeterhearing
Barkometertanning liquors used in tanning leather
Barometerair pressure
Bevametermechanical properties of soil
Bolometerelectromagnetic radiation
Brannok Devicemeasuring shoe size
Breathalyzerbreath alcohol content
Caliperdistance
Calorimeterheat of chemical reactions
Cathetometervertical distances
Ceilometerheight of a cloud base
Chronometer or Clocktime
Clap-o-metervolume of applause
Compassdirection of North
Colorimetercolor
Creepmeterslow surface displacement of an active geologic fault in the earth
Declinometermagnetic declination
Densimeterspecific gravity of liquids
Densitometerdegree of darkness in photographic or semitransparent material
Diffractometerstructure of crystals
Dialtometervolume changes caused by a physical or chemical process
Disdrometersize, speed, and velocity of raindrops
Dosimeterexposure to hazards, especially radiation; radiation of item
Dynamometerforce, torque or power
Electricity Meterelectrical energy used
Electrometerelectric charge
Electronic Tunerpitch of musical notes
Ellipsometerrefractive index, dielectric function, thickness of thin films
Eudiometerchange in volume of a gas mixture following combustion
Evaporimeterrate of evaporation
Fathometerocean depth
Framing Squareright angles in construction
Frequency CounterFrequency Of Alternating Current
Fuel Gaugefuel levels
Galvanometerelectricity
Gas Pycnometervolume and density of solids
Geiger Counterionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, etc.)
Glucometerblood glucose (diabetes)
Graphometerangles
Heliometervariation of the sun’s diameter
Hydrometerspecific gravity of liquids (density of liquids)
Hygrometerhumidity
Inclinometerangle of a slope
Inkometerink
Interferometerwave interference
Infrared ThermometerMeasures heat radiated
Katharometercomposition of gases
Lactometerspecific gravity of milk
Light meterlight (in photography)
Load Cellmeasurement of force
Lux meterintensity of light
Magnetometerstrength of magnetic fields
Manometerpressure of gas
Mass flow metermass flow rate of a fluid travelling through a tube
Mass Spectrometermasses of ions, used to identify chemical substances through their mass spectra
Measuring Spoona spoon used to measure an amount of an ingredient, either liquid or dry
Meggerelectrical insulation
Mercury BarometerAtmospheric pressure
Micrometersmall distances
Multimeterelectrical potential, resistance, and current
Nephoscopeto measure the speed and direction of clouds
Nephelometerparticle in a liquid
Odometerdistance travelled
Ohmmeterelectrical resistance
Orchidometertesticle size in male humans
Oscilloscopeoscillations
Osmometerosmotic strength of a solution, colloid, or compound matter of an object
Parking Metercollects moneys for vehicle parking rights in a zone for a limited time
Pedometersteps
PH meterpH (chemical acidity/basicity of a solution)
Photometerilluminance or irradiance
Planometerarea
Polarimeterrotation of polarized light
Potentiometervoltage (term is also used to refer to a variable resistor)
Profilometersurface roughness
Protractorangles
Psychrometerhumidity
Pycnometerfluid density
Pyranometersolar radiation
Pyrheliometerdirect solar insolation
Pyrometerhigh temperatures
Quadratpercentage cover of a certain species
Rain Gaugemeasuring of rain
Radiometerradiant flux of electromagnetic radiation
Rheometerresponse to applied forces
Rotameterpressure of a liquid or gas in a closed tube
Saccharometeramount of sugar in a solution
Seismometerseismic waves (for example, earthquakes)
Sextantlocation on earth’s surface (used in naval navigation)
Spectrometerproperties of light
Spectrophotometerintensity of light as a function of wavelength
Speedometerspeed, velocity of a vehicle
Spirometerthe lung capacity
Spherometerradius of a sphere
Sphygmomanometerblood pressure
Stadimeterobject range
Strainmeterseismic strain
SWR mterstanding wave ratio
Tacheometerdistance
Tachometerrevolutions per minute, rate of blood flow, speed of aeroplanes
Taximeterdistance travelled, displacement
Tensiometersurface tension of a liquid
Theodolitemeasuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes
Thermometertemperature
Tiltmeterminor changes to the Earth
Tintometercolour
Vacuum Gaugevery low pressure
Viscometerviscosity of a fluid
Voltmeterelectric potential, voltage
Watt Meterelectrical power
Wind Vanewind direction
Zymometerfermentation
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FAQs on List of Scientific Instruments & their uses - Science & Technology for UPSC CSE

1. What are some common scientific instruments and their uses?
Ans. Some common scientific instruments and their uses include a microscope for magnifying small objects, a thermometer for measuring temperature, a spectrophotometer for analyzing the amount of light absorbed by a substance, a centrifuge for separating substances based on density, and a pH meter for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
2. How do scientific instruments help in conducting experiments and research?
Ans. Scientific instruments help in conducting experiments and research by providing accurate measurements, enabling the observation of phenomena that are not visible to the naked eye, and facilitating the collection of data for analysis and interpretation.
3. What are some advanced scientific instruments used in modern research?
Ans. Some advanced scientific instruments used in modern research include electron microscopes for high-resolution imaging, mass spectrometers for analyzing the composition of samples, X-ray diffractometers for studying crystal structures, and genetic sequencers for analyzing DNA sequences.
4. How are scientific instruments calibrated to ensure accuracy?
Ans. Scientific instruments are calibrated by comparing their measurements to known standards or reference materials. Calibration ensures that the instrument provides accurate and reliable results, which is essential for obtaining valid scientific data.
5. Can scientific instruments be used across different scientific disciplines?
Ans. Yes, scientific instruments can be used across different scientific disciplines. For example, a spectrophotometer can be used in chemistry to analyze the composition of a solution, in biology to study enzyme activity, and in environmental science to monitor water quality.
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