Scientific InstrumentsHave you ever been in the middle of a class lecture, medical examination or episode ofStar Trekonly to realise suddenly that you have no clue what all those gizmos, gadgets and other scientific instruments actually do? If so, your problems are solved. This list defines 418 scientific instruments and technical tools used for viewing, displaying, recording and measuring just about anything you can imagine (and some things you probably can't). Most of these words end in "meter" (instruments for measuring), "scope" (instruments for viewing) or "graph" (instruments for displaying and recording).

WordDefinition

absorptiometerinstrument for measuring solubility of gases in liquids

accelerometerinstrument for measuring acceleration or vibrations

acetimeterinstrument for measuring strength of vinegar

acidimeterinstrument for measuring concentration of acids

actinographinstrument used to calculate time of photographic exposure

actinometerinstrument for measuring incident radiation

aerometerinstrument for measuring weight or density of gas

aethrioscopeinstrument for measuring temperature variations due to sky conditions

alcoholometerinstrument for measuring proportion of alcohol in solutions

alcovinometerinstrument to measure strength of wine

algometerinstrument for measuring sensitivity to pain

alkalimeterinstrument for measuring strength of alkalines

altimeterinstrument for measuring altitude

ammeterinstrument for measuring electrical current

anemographinstrument for measuring pressure and velocity of wind

anemometerinstrument for measuring wind velocity

areometerinstrument used for measuring specific gravity

arthroscopeinstrument for examining interior of a joint

atmometerinstrument for measuring evaporating capacity of air

audiometerinstrument for measuring acuity of hearing

auriscopeinstrument for examining the ear

auxanometerinstrument for measuring growth of plants

auxometerinstrument for measuring magnifying power

ballistocardiographinstrument for detecting body movements caused by heartbeat

barographinstrument for recording air pressure

barometerinstrument for measuring air pressure

baroscopeweather-glass

bathymeterinstrument for recording contours of deep oceans

bathythermographinstrument for recording water temperature as compared to depth

bolometerinstrument for measuring radiant energy or infrared light

bronchoscopeinstrument for examining the windpipe

calorimeterinstrument for measuring absorbed or evolved heat

cardiographinstrument for recording movements of the heart

cathetometerinstrument for measuring short vertical distances

ceilometerinstrument for measuring height of cloud ceiling above earth

ceraunographinstrument for recording thunder and lightning

chlorometerinstrument for measuring amount of chlorine in a solution

chromatographinstrument for performing chromatographic separations

chromatoptometerinstrument measuring eyes' sensitivity to colour

chronographinstrument for recording the moment of an event

chronometerinstrument for measuring time

chronoscopeinstrument for measuring very short time intervals

clinometerinstrument used to measure slopes and elevations

coercimeterinstrument for measuring coercive force

colonoscopeinstrument for viewing the colon

colorimeterinstrument for measuring and determining color

colposcopeinstrument for viewing the neck of the uterus

coronagraphinstrument for viewing the corona of the sun

coulombmeterinstrument for measuring electric charge

coulometerinstrument measuring amount of substance released in electrolysis

craniometerinstrument for measuring the skull

cratometerinstrument for measuring power of magnification

crescographinstrument for measuring the growth of plants

cryometerinstrument for measuring low temperatures

cryoscopeinstrument for determining freezing points of substances

cyanometerinstrument for measuring blueness of the sky or ocean

cyclographinstrument for describing arcs of circles without compasses

cyclometerinstrument for measuring revolutions of a wheel

cymographinstrument for tracing the outline of mouldings

cymometerinstrument for measuring frequency of electrical waves

cystoscopeinstrument for examining the bladder

cytometerinstrument for counting cells

decelerometerinstrument for measuring deceleration

declinometerinstrument for measuring magnetic declination

dendrometerinstrument for measuring trees

densimeterinstrument for measuring closeness of grain of a substance

densitometerinstrument for measuring optical or photographic density

diagometerinstrument for measuring electrical conductivity

diagraphinstrument for enlarging or projecting drawings

diaphanometerinstrument for measuring the transparency of air

dichroscopeinstrument for examining crystals for dichroism

diffractometerinstrument for determining structure of crystal through light diffraction

dilatometerinstrument for measuring expansion

dioptometerinstrument for measuring focus or refraction of the eyes

dipleidoscopeinstrument for measuring moment when an object passes a meridian

diplographinstrument for writing two lines of text at once

dosimeterinstrument for measuring dose of radiation

dromometerinstrument for measuring speed

drosometerinstrument for measuring dew

durometerinstrument for measuring hardness of substances

dynamographinstrument for recording mechanical forces

dynamometerinstrument for measuring mechanical force

ebullioscopeinstrument for measuring boiling point of liquids

effusiometerinstrument for comparing molecular weights of gases

eidographinstrument for copying drawings

elatrometerinstrument for measuring gaseous pressure

electrocardiographinstrument for recording unusual electrical fluctuations of the heart

electrodynamometerinstrument for measuring electrical current

electroencephalographinstrument for measuring the brain's electrical impulses

electrographinstrument for recording electrical potential

electrometerinstrument for measuring electrical potential

electromyographinstrument for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders

electroretinographinstrument for measuring electrical activity in the retina

electroscopeinstrument for detecting electrical charges in the body

ellipsographinstrument for describing ellipses

encephalographinstrument for recording brain images

endoscopeinstrument for visualizing interior of a hollow organ

endosmometerinstrument for measuring osmosis into a solution

epidiascopeinstrument for projecting images of objects

episcopeinstrument for projecting images of opaque objects

ergographinstrument for measuring and recording muscular work

ergometerinstrument for measuring work performed

eriometerinstrument for measuring very small diameters

eudiometerinstrument for measuring air purity

evaporimeterinstrument for measuring rate of evaporation

extensometerinstrument for measuring deformation in object due to forces applied

fathometerinstrument for measuring underwater depth using sound

fiberscopeinstrument using fiberoptics to examine inaccessible areas

floriscopeinstrument for inspecting flowers

flowmeterinstrument for measuring properties of flowing liquids

fluorimeterinstrument for measuring fluorescence

fluoroscopeinstrument using x-rays to examine internal structure of opaque object

focimeterinstrument for measuring focal length of a lens

galactometerinstrument for measuring specific gravity of milk

galvanometerinstrument for measuring electrical current

galvanoscopeinstrument for detecting presence and direction of electric current

gasometerinstrument for holding and measuring gases

gastroscopeinstrument for examining interior of the stomach

geothermometerinstrument for measuring subterranean temperatures

goniometerinstrument for measuring angles between faces

gradiometerinstrument for measuring gradient of a physical quantity

gravimeterinstrument for measuring variations in gravitational fields

gyrographinstrument for counting a wheel's revolutions

haptometerinstrument measuring sensitivity to touch

harmonographinstrument drawing curves representing vibrations

harmonometerinstrument measuring harmonic relations of sounds

helicographinstrument for drawing spirals on a plane

heliographinstrument for measuring intensity of sunlight

heliometerinstrument for measuring apparent diameter of the sun

helioscopeinstrument for observing sun without injury to the eyes

hemacytometerinstrument for counting blood cells

hippometerinstrument to measure height of horses

hodoscopeinstrument for tracing paths of ionizing particles

hydrometerinstrument for measuring specific gravity of liquids

hydroscopeinstrument for viewing under water

hydrotimeterinstrument for measuring water hardness

hyetographinstrument for recording rainfall

hyetometerinstrument for measuring rainfall

hyetometrographinstrument for recording rainfall

hygrographinstrument for recording variations in atmospheric humidity

hygrometerinstrument for measuring air moisture

hygroscopeinstrument for displaying changes in air humidity

hypsometerinstrument for measuring height of trees through triangulation

iconometerinstrument for finding size of object by measuring its image

idiometerinstrument for measuring motion of observer in relation to transit of the heavens

inclinometerinstrument for measuring inclination to the horizontal of an axis

interferometerinstrument for analysing spectra of light

iriscopeinstrument for exhibiting the prismatic colours

katathermometerinstrument for measuring the cooling power of air

katharometerinstrument measuring changes in composition of gases

keratometerinstrument for measuring curvature of the cornea

keraunographinstrument for recording distant thunderstorms

kinetoscopeinstrument for producing curves by combination of circular movements

konimeterinstrument measuring amount of dust in air

koniscopeinstrument for measuring dust in air

kymographinstrument for recording fluid pressure

labidometerinstrument for measuring size of the head of a fetus

lactometerinstrument for testing relative density of milk

lactoscopeinstrument for measuring purity or richness of milk

lanameterinstrument for measuring quality of wool

laparoscopeinstrument for viewing interior of peritoneal cavity

laryngoscopeinstrument for examining interior of the larynx

leptometerinstrument for measuring oil viscosity

loxodographdevice used to record ship's travels

lucimeterinstrument for measuring light intensity

luxmeterinstrument for measuring illumination

lysimeterinstrument for measuring percolation of water through soil

magnetographinstrument for recording measurements of magnetic fields

magnetometerinstrument for measuring intensity of magnetic fields

manometerinstrument for measuring pressure of a liquid or gas

marigraphinstrument for recording tide levels

mecometerinstrument for measuring length

megameterinstrument for determining longitude by observing stars

megascopeinstrument for projecting an enlarged image

mekometerrange-finder

meldometerinstrument for measuring melting points of substances

meteorographinstrument recording a variety of meteorological observations

methanometerinstrument for detecting presence of methane

microbarographinstrument for recording minute changes in atmospheric pressure

microcalorimeterinstrument for measuring tiny quantities of heat

micrographinstrument used to write on a very small scale

micrometerinstrument for measuring very small distances

micronometerinstrument for measuring short periods of time

microscopeinstrument for magnifying small objects

microseismographinstrument for recording small or distant earthquakes

microseismometerinstrument for measuring small or distant earthquakes

mileometerinstrument for recording distance travelled in miles

milliammeterinstrument for recording very small electrical currents

myographinstrument for recording muscular contractions

myringoscopeinstrument for viewing the eardrum

nephelometerinstrument for measuring cloudiness

nephographinstrument for photographing clouds

nephoscopeinstrument for observing direction and velocity of clouds

nitrometerinstrument for measuring nitrogen and its compounds

odographodometer; instrument for measuring distance travelled

odometerinstrument for measuring distance travelled

odontographinstrument for obtaining curves for gear-teeth

oenometerinstrument for measuring alcoholic strength of wine

ohmmeterinstrument for measuring electrical resistance

oleometerinstrument for measuring amount of oil in a substance

olfactometerinstrument measuring intensity of odour of a substance

ombrometerrain-gauge

oncometerinstrument measuring change in size of internal organs

oncosimeterinstrument measuring variations in density of molten metal

ondographinstrument measuring change in wave formations of electricity

oometerinstrument for measuring eggs

opacimeterinstrument for measuring opacity

opeidoscopeinstrument for illustrating sound by means of light

ophthalmometerinstrument for measuring the eye

ophthalmoscopeinstrument for viewing the interior of the eye

opisometerinstrument for measuring curved lines

opsiometerinstrument for testing vision

optometerinstrument for testing vision

orchidometerinstrument for measuring the size of the testicles

oscillographinstrument for recording alternating current wave forms

oscillometerinstrument for measuring ship's rollings

oscilloscopeinstrument for detecting electrical fluctuations

osmometerinstrument for measuring osmotic pressure

otoscopeinstrument for examining the ear

pachymeterinstrument for measuring small thicknesses

pallographinstrument measuring ship's vibration

pantochronometercombined sundial and compass

pantographinstrument for copying drawing to a different scale

passimeterinstrument for issuing automatic tickets

pedometerinstrument for measuring distance travelled on foot

peirameterinstrument measuring resistance of road surfaces to wheel movement

pelvimeterinstrument for measuring the pelvis

penetrometerinstrument for measuring firmness or consistency of substances

permeameterinstrument for measuring permeability

phacometerinstrument for measuring lenses

phaometerold instrument for measuring light intensity

pharmacometerinstrument for measuring drugs

pharyngoscopeinstrument for inspecting the pharynx

phonautographinstrument for recording sound vibrations

phonendoscopedevice which amplifies small sounds

phonometerinstrument for measuring sound levels

phorometerinstrument used to correct abnormalities in eye muscles

photometerinstrument for measuring light intensity

photopolarimeterinstrument for measuring intensity and polarization of reflected light

phototachometerinstrument for measuring the speed of light

phototelegraphinstrument for transmitting drawings telegraphically

phthongometerinstrument measuring intensity of vowel sounds

piezometerinstrument for measuring pressure or compressibility

pitchometerinstrument for measuring angles of ship's propeller blades

planigraphinstrument for copying drawings at a different scale

planimeterinstrument for measuring area of plane figures

platometerinstrument for measuring area; planimeter

plegometerinstrument for measuring the strength of a blow

plemyrameterinstrument for measuring variations in water level

plethysmographinstrument for measuring change in body part size due to blood flow

pluviographself-registering rain gauge

pluviometerrain-meter

pneometerinstrument that measures respiration

pneumatometerinstrument for measuring quantity of air breathed

pneumographinstrument for measuring and recording respiration

polarimeterinstrument for measuring polarised light

polariscopeinstrument for detecting polarized light

polygraphinstrument for measuring small changes in pulse and respiration

porometerinstrument for measuring degree of porosity

poroscopeinstrument for investigating porosity

potentiometerinstrument for measuring electromotive forces

potometerinstrument measuring rate at which plants absorb water

prisoptometerinstrument for measuring degree of astigmatism

proctoscopeinstrument for examining the rectum

psophometerinstrument measuring audible interference of electrical current

psychographinstrument that supposedly records spirit messages

psychrometerinstrument for measuring air moisture or temperature

psychrometerinstrument for measuring dryness of the atmosphere

pulsimeterinstrument for measuring the pulse

pycnometerinstrument for measuring specific gravity or density

pyknometerinstrument for measuring specific gravities

pyranometerinstrument measuring solar radiation from the sky's whole hemisphere

pyrgeometerinstrument for measuring radiation from earth

pyrheliometerinstrument for measuring heating effect of sun

pyrometerinstrument for measuring very high temperatures

pyroscopeinstrument for measuring intensity of radiant heat

qualimeterapparatus for measuring penetrating power of X-ray beams

quantimeterapparatus for measuring quantity of X-rays

quantometerinstrument for measuring proportions of elements in metallic samples

rachiometerinstrument for measuring the spine

radarscopeinstrument for detecting radar signals

radiogoniometerinstrument for finding direction through radio signals

radiometeorographinstrument for measuring atmospheric conditions at high altitude

radiometerinstrument measuring radiation energy

radioscopeinstrument for viewing objects using X-rays

ratemeterinstrument for measuring counting rate of electronic counters

recipiangleold instrument with two arms used for measuring angles

reflectometerinstrument for measuring reflectance of radiant energy

refractometerinstrument measuring refraction of light

respirometerinstrument for measuring and studying respiration

retinoscopeinstrument for measuring and viewing the retina

rheometerinstrument that measures current

rhinoscopeinstrument for examining the nose

rhythmometerinstrument for measuring speed of rhythms

riometerinstrument for measuring absorbed cosmic radio waves

rotameterold instrument for measuring length of curved lines

rotameterinstrument consisting of glass tube with free float for measuring liquid flow

saccharimeterinstrument for measuring amount of sugar in a solution

salinometerinstrument for measuring amount of salt in a solution

scintillometerinstrument measuring scintillation of star

scintilloscopeinstrument for measuring gamma rays emitted by a radioactive body

sclerometerinstrument measuring hardness

scoliometerinstrument measuring curvature

scotographinstrument for writing without seeing

scotoscopeinstrument for detecting objects in darkness

seismographinstrument for recording earthquakes

seismometerinstrument for measuring earthquake intensity

seismoscopeinstrument for detecting earthquakes

selenoscopeinstrument for viewing the moon

sensitometerinstrument for measuring sensitivity of photographic material

sepometerinstrument for measuring septic matter in the air

serimeterinstrument for testing quality of silk

shuftiscopeinstrument used to explore interior of dysentery case

siccimeterinstrument for measuring liquid evaporation

sideroscopeinstrument using magnets to detect presence of iron

sigmoidoscopeinstrument for examining the interior of the rectum and sigmoid colon

sillometerinstrument measuring speed of ship

skiascopeinstrument for measuring eye's refraction from movement of shadows

snooperscopeinstrument for viewing infrared radiation

solarimeterinstrument for measuring solar radiation

sonographinstrument for recording and analysing sound

spectrofluorimeterinstrument for measuring and recording fluorescence spectra

spectrographinstrument for viewing a spectrum

spectroheliographinstrument for taking pictures of the sun

spectroheliokinematographcamera for taking pictures of the sun

spectrohelioscopeinstrument for viewing solar disc in light of a single wavelength

spectrometerinstrument measuring wavelengths of light of a spectrum

spectrophotometerinstrument for measuring speed of different parts of light spectrum

spectroscopeinstrument for forming spectra by dispersing rays of light

speedometerinstrument for measuring velocity

spherometerinstrument measuring curvature

sphygmographinstrument for recording pulse

sphygmomanometerinstrument for measuring arterial blood pressure

sphygmometerinstrument for measuring arterial blood pressure

sphygmoscopeinstrument for making arterial pulsations visible

spinthariscopeinstrument for visually detecting alpha particles

spirographinstrument recording movements of breathing

spirometerinstrument measuring lung capacity

stactometerpipette with hollow bulb for counting drops

stadiometerinstrument for measuring the length of a curved line

stagmometerinstrument for measuring number of drops in volume of liquid

stalagmometerinstrument for measuring surface tension by drops

statoscopeinstrument for measuring small changes in atmospheric pressure

stauroscopeinstrument for studying structure of crystals with polarised light

stenometerinstrument for measuring distances

stereometerinstrument for measuring specific gravity

stereoscopeinstrument for viewing special three-dimensional photographs

stethometerinstrument measuring chest expansion during breathing

stethoscopeinstrument for detecting sounds produced by the body

strabismometerinstrument measuring degree of squinting

strabometerinstrument for measuring strabismus in the eyes

stroboscopeinstrument for studying motion using flashes of light

stylometerinstrument for measuring columns

swingometerinstrument for measuring swing in votes during an election

sympiesometerinstrument for measuring pressure of a current

synchroscopeinstrument for detecting whether two moving parts are synchronized

tacheometerinstrument for rapidly measuring survey points on a map

tachistoscopeinstrument for rapidly showing images on a screen to test perception

tachographinstrument for recording speed of rotation

tachometerinstrument for measuring speed of rotation

taseometerinstrument for measuring stress in a structure

tasimeterinstrument for measuring changes in pressure

taximeterinstrument for measuring fee for hired vehicle

telemeterinstrument for measuring strain or distance from observer

telescopeinstrument for viewing objects at great distances

telespectroscopeinstrument for analysing radiation omitted by distant bodies

telestereoscopeinstrument for viewing distant objects stereoscopically

tellurometerinstrument using microwaves to measure distance

tenderometerinstrument for measuring tenderness of fruits and vegetables

tensimeterinstrument for measuring vapour pressure

tensiometerinstrument for measuring tension

thalassometerinstrument for measuring tides

thermographinstrument for recording changes in temperature

thermometerinstrument for measuring temperature

thermometrographinstrument for recording changes in temperature

thermoscopeinstrument indicating change in temperature

thoracoscopeinstrument for viewing the thorax and chest wall

tiltmeterinstrument for measuring tilting of earth's surface

tocodynamometerinstrument for measuring uterine contractions during childbirth

tomographinstrument for viewing section of an object using X-rays

tonometerinstrument measuring pitch of musical tones

topophoneinstrument to determine direction and distance of a fog-horn

torsiographinstrument for recording torsional vibrations on an object

transmissometerinstrument for measuring transmission of light through a fluid

trechometerinstrument for determining distance travelled; odometer

tremographinstrument for recording involuntary muscular motion

tribometerinstrument measuring friction

trigonometerinstrument for solving triangles

trocheameterinstrument counting wheel's revolutions

tromometerinstrument for measuring slight earthquake shocks

tropometerinstrument measuring rotation

turbidimeterinstrument for measuring turbidity of liquids

turgometerinstrument for measuring turgidity

typhlographinstrument to help the blind write clearly

udometerinstrument for measuring rainfall

ultramicroscopeinstrument for viewing extremely small objects

urethroscopeinstrument for viewing the interior of the urethra

urinometerinstrument for measuring specific gravity of urine

vaporimeterinstrument for measuring vapour pressure

variometerinstrument for measuring magnetic declination

velocimeterinstrument for measuring velocity

velometerinstrument for measuring speed of air

viameterinstrument for measuring revolutions of a wheel

vibrographinstrument for recording vibrations

vibrometerinstrument for measuring vibrations

viscometerinstrument for measuring viscosity

visometerinstrument for measuring focal length of the eye

voltameterinstrument for measuring electrical current indirectly

voltmeterinstrument for measuring electrical potential

volumenometerinstrument for measuring volume of a solid

volumeterinstrument for measuring volume of a liquid or gas

wattmeterinstrument for measuring electrical power

wavemeterinstrument for measuring wavelengths

weatherometerinstrument for measuring weather-resisting properties of paint

xanthometerinstrument for measuring colour of sea or lake water

xylometerinstrument measuring specific gravity of wood

zymometerinstrument for measuring fermentation

zymosimeterinstrument for measuring fermentation