Scientific Instruments

Introduction

A scientific instrument is a device or tool used for scientific purposes, which includes the study and proof of both natural phenomena and theoretical research.These scientific instruments are used for demonstration, measuring and recording physical quantities. 

Let us know about these scientific instruments briefly.

Scientific Instruments list 

Below is the list of scientific instruments arranged alphabetically.

1. Altimeter: An instrument used in aircrafts for measuring altitudes.
2. Ammeter: It is used to measure electric current.
3. Anemometer: It is used to measure the speed, direction, and pressure of the wind.
4. Audiometer: It measures the intensity of sound.
5. Barograph: It is for sontinuous recording of atmospheric pressure.
6. Barometer: It measures atmospheric pressure and conditions.
7. Binoculars: It is an optical instrument used for magnifying views of distant objects.
8. Bolometer: It measures infra-red (also known as Heat) radiation.
9. Callipers: It measures diameters of thin cylinder/wire.
10. Calorimeter: It measures the quantity of heat.
11. Carburettor: It is specifically used for charging air with petrol vapours in an internal combustion engine.
12. Cardiogram(ECG): It significantly traces movements of the heart, recorded on a Cardiograph.
13. Cathetometer: It helps to determine heights and levels.
14. Chronometer: It helps to determine the longitude of a vessel at sea.
15. Cinematograph: It is basically used for projecting pictures on the screen.
16. Colorimeter: It best compares the intensity of colours.
17. Commutator: It is used in generators to reverse the direction of the electric current.
18. Crescograph: It is used for accurately measuring growth in plants.
19. Cryometer: It helps in measurement of extreme low temperatures.
20. Cyclotron: It is used for accelerating highly charged particles in microwave oscillators.
21. Dilatometer: It generally measures the change in volume of substances.
22. Dynamo: It best converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
23. Electrometer: This measures small but potential difference in electric currents.
24. Electrometer: It is used for measuring electrical potential differences.
25. Electroscope: It accurately detects the presence of an electric charge.
26. Electron microscope: It is an optical instrument used to obtain a magnifying view of very small objects (20,000 times).
27. Endoscope: It is used to examine internal parts of the human body.
28. Fathometer: It measures the depth of the oceans.
29. Fluxmeter: It basically measures the magnetic flux.
30. Galvanometer: It is used to measure the electric current.
31. Gramophone: It is used to reproduce the recorded sound.
32. Hydrometer: It measures the relative density of liquids.
33. Hygrometer: This is used to measure the moisture content or humidity of air or any gas.
34. Hygroscope: It indicates the slightest changes in atmospheric humidity.
35. Hypsometer: It helps in determining the boiling point of liquids.
36. Lactometer: It helps in measuring the relative density of milk specifically.
37. Machmeter:   This is for measuring the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound.
38. Manometer: It accurately compares magnetic movement and fields.
39. Manometer: It is well used to measure atmospheric pressure.
40. Micrometer: It converts sound waves into electrical vibration.
41. Microphone: It is well known to convert sound waves into electrical signals.
42. Microscope: It is well known to be used to obtain a magnified view of small objects.
43. Nephelometer: It measures the scattering of the light by particles suspended in a given liquid.
44. Odometer: It is an instrument connected to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance travelled.
45. Ohmmeter: It best measures the electrical resistance of objects.
46. Ondometer: It well measures the frequency of the electromagnetic waves or the radio waves.
47. Optometer: It is specifically used for testing the refractive power of the eye.
48. Otoscope: It is used for visual and clear examination of the eardrum.
49. Periscope: This is used to view objects above sea level (generally used in submarines).
50. Phonograph: It is used for reproducing sound.
51. Photometer: It well compares the luminous intensity of any two sources of light
52. Polygraph: It simultaneously records the slightest changes in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure, and respiration (well known to be used as lie detector.)
53. Pyrheliometer: It is used for measuring solar radiation.
54. Pyrometer: It helps in measuring extremely high temperatures.
55. Quadrant: It measures the  altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy
56. Radar: Radio, Detection and Ranging.
57. Rain Gauge: It is well known to be used for measuring rainfall.
58. Refractometer: It is widely used to measure salinity of a solution.
59. Refractometer: It best measures a Refractive Index of a substance.
60. Sextant: It is widely used by navigators to find the latitude of a place by measuring the elevation above the horizon of the sun or another star. It is also used to measure the height of very distant objects.
61. Sextant: It is used for measuring the angular distance between two objects.
62. Seismograph:  It is used for recording the intensity and origin of earthquake shocks similar to the Richter scale.
63. Spectroscope: It is used for spectrum analysis.
64. Speedometer: It is an instrument used for measuring the speed of a moving vehicle.
65. Spherometer: It measures curvature of spherical objects like spheres.
66. Sphygmomanometer: It is a medical instrument that measures blood pressure.
67. Stethoscope: It is used for hearing and then analysing the sound of Heart.
68. Tachometer: It helps to determine speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft(in rpm)
69. Tangent galvanometer: It measures the amount of direct current (DC) in a circuit.
70. Telemeter: It records physical happenings at a distant place (commonly used to know space)
71. Telescope: It is well used for magnifying views of distant objects.
72. Thermometer: It is a common instrument that measures temperature.
73. Thermostat: It automatically regulates temperatures at a specific constant point.
74. Tonometer: It precisely measures the pitch of a sound.
75. Transformer: This is basically an apparatus that is used for converting high voltage to low and vice-versa without change in its frequency.
76. Transponder: It is specifically used to receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately in satellites.
77. Venturimeter: Measures the rate of flow of liquids.
78. Vernier : It is very useful to measure at a small sub-division of scale.
79. Viscometer: It precisely measures the viscosity of liquid.
80. Voltmeter: Used to measure the electric potential difference between two points.
81. Wattmeter: To measure electric power.
82. Wavemeter: To measure the wavelength of a radio wave (high frequency waves).

Central scientific instruments organisation

Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), which is basically situated at Chandigarh, is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), it is a national laboratory dedicated to research, design and development of both scientific and industrial instruments. It is a multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional crown industrial research & development organisation in the country to maintain the growth of the Instrument Industry all over India which covers a wide range of applications and uses. CSIR CSIO has worked in various areas of instrumentation and skill development programs by awarding diplomas through Indo-Swiss Training Center (ISTC) situated at Chandigarh also established centres at Chennai and Delhi to meet the regional demands.

Conclusion

We now know what scientific instruments are. We have also read about different scientific instruments along with their uses. We all have seen scientific instruments like speedometer, thermometer, voltmeter, galvanometer and others in our labs. We also discussed the Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO). We hope this article helped you.