Instruments for Measurement: Know the Types & Examples

Instruments for Measurement: A measuring instrument is a device that is used to measure or quantify any physical quantity. In general science, various instruments are used conventionally for measuring physical identities like weight, length, time, weather, temperature, volume, and more. It is simple, just as the clock is used for measuring time, various other instruments such as weighing machines, rulers, thermometers, ammeters, and more instruments are utilised for measuring purposes in our everyday life.

Come let us take you through the entire vast spaceship where you will know all the details about the mechanical instruments list and their uses accordingly. Keep on reading this article in order to know more about measuring instruments mechanical and their characteristics.

Instruments for Measurement: Measuring Instruments List

Weight tells us how heavy or light an object is.  We use a weighing scale to measure the weight of objects or persons.  The weighing scale has two significant alternatives, the mechanical and the digital weighing scales. Scales come in different sizes and shapes. Some weigh very light things, and some consider heavy items. Let us consider the top 10 measuring instruments and their uses in the following sections:

This is an analogue weighing scale.

This is a digital weighing scale.

An analog weighing scale is the traditional and the simplest weighing scale. It is in usage for many years, and it is one such weighing machine that we still find in the majority. On the one hand, the analog weighing machines are easy to operate and do not require any battery or complex mechanism such as electronic chips. On the other hand, it comes at a relatively lower price than digital weighing machines.

Some people still use a balance to weigh objects too! A balance scale is an instrument used to measure the weight of objects by comparing their weights to a set of known weights.

Weight can be measured in grams, milligrams or kilograms. We can use \({\rm{g}}\) or \({\rm{gm}}\) to write gram, \({\rm{gram, g}}\) for milligrams \({\rm{kg}}\) for Kilogram. In the United States, ounces, pounds, and tons are also used. We may have seen ounces written with the letters \({\rm{o}}\) and \({\rm{z}}\), pounds with \({\rm{l}}\) and \({\rm{b}}\), and tons with the letter \({\rm{t}}\). These are called abbreviations or shorter ways of writing.

\({\rm{gram = g}}\) or \({\rm{gm}}\)

\({\rm{kilogram = kg}}\)

\({\rm{ounce = oz}}\)

\({\rm{pound = 1\;b}}\)

\({\rm{ton = t}}\)

Instruments for Measurement: Measuring Instruments Mechanical

We use the same tools when measuring the length, perimeter, and area of an object or space. Length tells us how long something is. Perimeter tells us the distance around an object or space. The area is the amount of space that an object or shape covers. To get the perimeter and area of a shape, we need to measure the length of the sides first.

We can do this by using these tools and methods:

1. Ruler (Inch Ruler and Centimetre Ruler)

It is useful in various situations like drawing the line and measuring the distance. It is useful for the kids in their school projects. The architect can use it in designing the building or construction workers in judging the straightness of their work. Thus, it is suitable for all types of academic purposes.

2. Meter Stick

It is used to measure the length and is especially common in the construction industry. It is often made of wood or plastic and often has metal or plastic joints folded together.

3. Measuring Tape

It is used for measuring the length of the physical object. Carpenters commonly use it in their lines of work. It is very convenient and portable and thus can be easily carried from one place to another. It usually comes with a handy switch that locks the tape into a steady position. And when you release it, the tape retracts back inside the casing instantly.

We use \({\rm{inch}}\) and \({\rm{centimetre}}\) rulers for smaller objects. For larger objects, we can use a meter stick and a measuring tape. Customary units such as \({\rm{inch, foot}}\), and \({\rm{miles}}\) are used in the United States. Metric units such as \({\rm{centimetres, meters}}\), and \({\rm{kilometres}}\) are used in other countries in the world.

These units of measurement of length are written in abbreviated form below:

\({\rm{inch = in}}\)

\({\rm{foot = ft}}\)

\({\rm{mile = mi}}\)

\({\rm{centimetre = cm}}\)

\({\rm{metre = m}}\)

\({\rm{kilometre = km}}\)

Instruments for Measurement: Time

We can measure time in terms of years, months, weeks, and days. We use a calendar to do this. It is done by giving names to periods, typically days, weeks, months, and years. A date is the designation of a single, specific day within such a system. A calendar is also a physical record (often paper) of such a system.

We can also measure time in terms of \({\rm{hours, minutes}}\), and \({\rm{seconds}}\)

We use a clock or watch to do this. It is used to measure the time and help you manage it for doing multiple lined-up tasks. Analog and digital types of clocks are available in the market. It works on the batteries and is passively needed throughout the day. Wristwatches and clocks in smartphones are the other means of showing the time to the user.

A stopwatch can be used to measure how long it takes to do something.

An hourglass or egg timer can also be used to measure time.

Instruments for Measurement: Temperature

Temperature tells us how cold or hot the weather, a place, or a thing is. We measure temperature using a thermometer. It is used to measure the body and surrounding temperature. It comes in different styles and is suitable for both kids and adults. The digital thermometer has a digital display that works faster than the traditional ones.

There are different types of thermometers, such as analog and digital, earphones and laser.

The units of measure for temperature are \(\left( {{}^{\rm{o}}{\rm{C}}} \right)\) or Fahrenheit \(\left( {{}^{\rm{o}}{\rm{F}}} \right)\) or Kelvin \(\left( {\rm{C}} \right)\)

Instruments for Measurement: Volume of Liquids

When liquid is poured into a container, it takes up a certain space. The space it takes up is called its volume. We measure the volume of liquids by using a beaker.

Beakers are useful as reaction containers or to hold liquid or solid samples. They are also used to catch liquids from titrations and filtrates from filtering operations.

It is marked with lines that help us tell the volume.

Cylinders, pipettes, and burettes are used for measuring smaller volumes of liquids

 Teaspoons and tablespoons are used to measure the volume of liquids used in cooking.

We can measure volume in \({\rm{millilitres}}\) and \({\rm{litres}}\).

\({\rm{Millilitres}}\) can be abbreviated to \({\rm{ml}}\). Litres can be shortened to lower case \({\rm{l}}\) or capital \({\rm{L}}\).

In the United States, volume is also measured in \({\rm{gallons, pints, quarts}}\) and \({\rm{cups}}\).

Usually, these units are written on the tools in abbreviated forms as

\({\rm{gallon = gal}}\)

\({\rm{pint = pt}}\)

\({\rm{quart = qt}}\)

\({\mathop{\rm cup}\nolimits} = {\rm{c}}\)

Instrument for Measuring Angles

The protractor is a crucial measuring instrument in the geometry box. The protractor helps us to measure an angle in degrees. It has degrees marked from \({{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\) to \({\rm{18}}{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\) from left to right in the outer edge and from \({\rm{18}}{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\) to \({{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\) in the inner part.

The inner readings and outer reading are supplementary to each other, i.e., they add up to \({\rm{18}}{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\). If we want to measure the angle at the left part of the protractor, we need to use the outer reading of the protractor.

In the figure given below \(\angle AOC = 6{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\). If we want to measure the angle at the right part of the protractor, we need to use the inner readings of the protractor. \(\angle BOC = 12{{\rm{0}}^{\rm{o}}}\).

Solved Examples

Q Match the following objects with the instruments of measurements.

Ans: The objects with different types of measuring instruments are

Q Guess and write the units of measurements of each item in the table.

Ans: The items with their respective units are given in the below table,

Q Name six things that we usually buy in grams and kilograms, respectively.
Ans: We use a \({\rm{kilogram}}\) to measure the heavy objects and a \({\rm{gram}}\) to measure light objects.
Let us list six items each, which we buy in grams and kilograms.

Q In triangle \(ABC\), use a protractor and measure \(\angle CAB\).

Ans: Place the protractor baseline along the line \(AB\) and the centre of the protractor at vertex \(A\).
Observe the reading in the protractor which overlaps with line \(AC\).

So, we get \(\angle CAB = {60^{\rm{o}}}\).

Q Measure the length of the rod.

Ans: To measure the length of the rod, we will use a ruler.

Hence, the length of the rod is \(17.6\;{\rm{cm}}\) or \({\rm{7}}\,{\rm{inches}}\).

Summary

In this article, we have seen that be it time, length, weight, or temperature, measuring these parameters is the whole and sole part of our daily routine. At the same time, while doing the regular medical check-ups, measuring the weight of groceries, while transportation, controlling the temperature during cooking, and so on, we are using many of these common measuring instruments.

FAQs on Measuring Instruments List

Q How do you choose a measuring instrument?
Ans: We choose different measuring instruments to measure different things. For example – we use a weighing scale to measure the weight. We use a measuring tape to measure the length. We use a thermometer for measuring the temperature etc.

Q What are the measuring instruments and their uses?
Ans: The measuring instruments and their uses are given below:

1. Weighing scale – It is used to measure weights.
2. Measuring Tape – It is used to measure the length of an object.
3. Thermometer – It is used to measure the temperature.
4. Container – It is used to measure the volume of liquid.

Q Which tools are used to measure the volume of liquids used in cooking?
Ans: Teaspoons or tablespoons are used to measure the volume of liquids used in cooking.

Q Is Perimeter measured in \({\rm{c}}{{\rm{m}}^2}\)?
Ans: No, perimeter tells us about the distance around an object or space, and it is generally measured in \({\rm{cm}}\) or \({\rm{m}}\).

Q What is the measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a body called?
Ans: The measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a body is called temperature.

We hope this detailed article on Instruments for Measurement helps you in your preparation.