The following table illustrates the major scientific instruments and their uses −
| Instrument | Use |
|---|---|
| Accelerometer | Measures acceleration |
| Altimeter | Measures altitude of an aircraft |
| Ammeter | Measures electric current in ampere |
| Anemometer | Measures wind speed |
| Barometer | Measures atmospheric pressure |
| Bolometer | Measures radiant energy |
| Caliper | Measures distance |
| Calorimeter | Measures heat (in chemical reaction) |
| Crescograph | Measures growth in plant |
| Dynamometer | Measures torque |
| Electrometer | Measures electric charge |
| Ellipsometer | Measures optical refractive indices |
| Fathometer | Measures depth (in sea) |
| Gravimeter | Measures the local gravitational field of the Earth |
| Galvanometer | Measures electric current |
| Hydrometer | Measures specific gravity of liquid |
| Hydrophones | Measures sound wave under water |
| Hygrometer | Measures atmospheric humidity |
| Inclinometer | Measures angel of slope |
| Interferometer | Infrared light spectra |
| Lactometer | Measures purity of milk |
| Magnetograph | Measures magnetic field |
| Manometer | Measures pressure of gas |
| Ohmmeter | Measures electric resistance |
| Odometer | Measures distance travelled by a wheeled vehicle |
| Photometer | Measures intensity of light |
| Pyrometer | Measures temperature of a surface |
| Radiometer | Measures intensity or force radiation |
| Radar | Detects distance object, e.g. aircraft, etc. |
| Sextant | Measures angle between two visible objects |
| Seismometer | Measures motion of the ground (earthquake/seismic waves) |
| Spectrometer | Measures spectra (light spectrum) |
| Theodolite | Measures horizontal and vertical angles |
| Thermopile | Measures small quantities of radiant heat |
| Thermometer | Measures temperature |
| Udometer | Measures amount of rainfall |
| Viscometer | Measures the viscosity of fluid |
| Voltmeter | Measures volt |
| Venturi meter | Measures flow of liquid |
