Static GK is a scoring section and plays an important role in the General Awareness section of the SSC CHSL exam. Questions on Static GK are direct, factual and straightforward. The answers to Static GK questions generally remain static and you have to memorize them and revise them regularly. In this article, we have come with a comprehensive list of scientific instruments which have been asked in previous exams. We suggest that you download this PDF and revise it regularly.
Question: Which instrument determines longitude of a vessel at sea.?
Answer: Chronometer
Question: What does an Electroscope do?
Answer: It detects presence of an electric charge.
Question: What does a Galvanometer do?
Answer: It measures electric current.
Question: Which instrument measures altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy?
Answer: Quadrant
Question: What does a Sphygmomanometer do?
Answer: It measures blood pressure.
Here we have provided some scientific measuring instruments and their usage. You are advised to go through the list carefully and try to understand them with the help of their usage.
| Instrument | Usage |
| Actinometer | An instrument for measuring the intensity of radiation, especially ultraviolet radiation. |
| Altimeter | An instrument used in aircrafts for measuring altitudes |
| Ammeter | Measures electric current |
| Anemometer | Used to measure the speed, direction and pressure of the wind. |
| Audiometer | Measures intensity of sound |
| Barograph | Continuous recording of atmospheric pressure |
| Barometer | Measures atmospheric pressure and conditions. |
| Binoculars | An optical instrument used for magnified view of distant objects. |
| Bolometer | Measures infra-red (Heat) radiation. |
| Callipers | Measures diameters of thin cylinder/wire. |
| Calorimeter | Measures quantity of heat |
| Carburettor | Used for charging air with petrol vapours in an internal combustion engine. |
| Cardiogram(ECG) | Traces movements of the heart ,recorded on a Cardiograph |
| Cathetometer | Determines heights and levels |
| Chronometer | Determines longitude of a vessel at sea. |
| Cinematograph | Used for projecting pictures on the screen. |
| Colorimeter | Compares intensity of colours |
| Commutator | Used in generators to reverse the direction of electric current. |
| Crescograph | Used for measuring growth in plants. |
| Cryometer | Measurement of low temperature. |
| Cyclotron | Used for accelerating charged particles in microwave oscillator |
| Dilatometer | Measures change in volume of substances |
| Dynamo | Coverts mechanical energy into electrical energy |
| Electrometer | Measures very small but potential difference in electric currents |
| Electrometer | Used for measuring electrical potential difference. |
| Electroscope | Detects presence of an electric Charge |
| Electron microscope | Used to obtain a magnifying view of very small objects (20,000 times). |
| Endoscope | To examine internal parts of the body |
| Fathometer | Measures depth of the ocean |
| Fluxmeter | Measures magnetic flux |
| Galvanometer | Measures electric current |
| Gramophone | Used to reproducing recorded sound. |
| Hydrometer | Measures the relative density of liquids |
| Hydrophone | Measure sound under water |
| Hygrometer | Used to measure the moisture content or the humidity of air or any gas. |
| Hygroscope | Shows the changes in atmospheric humidity |
| Hypsometer | Determines boiling point of liquids. |
| Lactometer | Measures the relative density of milk. |
| Machmeter | Determines the speed of an aircraft relative to the speed of sound |
| Manometer | Compares magnetic movement and fields |
| Manometer | Used to measure atmospheric pressure |
| Micrometer | Coverts sound waves into electrical vibration |
| Microphone | Converts sound waves into electrical signals. |
| Microscope | Used to obtain a magnified view of small objects |
| Nephetometer | Measures the scattering of light by particles suspended in a liquid |
| Odometer | An instrument attached to the wheel of a vehicle, to measure the distance travelled. |
| Ohmmeter | Measures electrical resistance of objects |
| Ondometer | Measures the frequency of electromagnetic waves(radio waves) |
| Optometer | Used for testing the refractive power of the eye. |
| Otoscope | Used for visual examination of the eardrum. |
| Periscope | Used to view objects above sea level (Used in submarines). |
| Phonograph | Used for reproducing sound. |
| Photometer | Compares the luminous intensity of the two sources of light |
| Polygraph | It simultaneously records changed in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure & the respiration (used as lie detector) |
| Pyrheliometer | Used for measuring Solar radiation. |
| Pyrometer | Measures very high temperature. |
| Quadrant | Measures altitudes and angles in navigation and astronomy |
| Radar | Radio, Detection and Ranging. |
| Rain Gauge | Measures Rainfall. |
| Refractometer | Measures salinity of solutions |
| Refractometer | Measures a Refractive Index of a substance. |
| Sextant | Used for measuring angular distance between two objects. |
| Siesmograph | Used for recording the intensity and origin of earthquakes shocks. |
| Spectroscope | Used for Spectrum analysis. |
| Speedometer | An instrument used for measuring speed of the vehicle. |
| Spherometer | Measures curvature of spherical objects. |
| Sphygmomanometer | Measures blood pressure. |
| Stethoscope | Used for hearing and analysing the sound of Heart. |
| Tachometer | To determine speed, especially the rotational speed of a shaft(rpm) |
| Tangent galvanometer | Measure the amount of direct current(DC) |
| Telemeter | Records physical happenings at a distant place(space) |
| Telescope | Used for magnified view of distant objects. |
| Tensiometer | an instrument for measuring the surface tension of liquids |
| Thermometer | Measures Temperature |
| Thermostat | Automatically regulates temperatures at a constant point. |
| Tonometer | Measures the pitch of a sound |
| Transformer | An apparatus used for converting high voltage to low and vice-versa without change in its frequency. |
| Transponder | To receive a signal and transmit a reply immediately in satellites. |
| Venturimeter | Measures the rate of flow of liquids |
| Vernier | Measures Small sub-division of scale. |
| Viscometer | Measures Viscosity of liquid. |
| Voltmeter | Used to measure electric potential difference between two points |
| Wattmeter | To measure electric power |
| Wavemeter | To measure the wavelength of a radio wave (high frequency waves) |
As we all that general awareness is a type of section that can be asked in any exam such as SSC CHSL, SSC CGL, etc. Knowing about the Scientific Measuring Instruments and their uses can help you score well in the exam. To cover this topic easily we have provided this blog which contains a list of scientific measuring instruments in a PDF form. You can download the PDF for free and start your preparation for the exam.
IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Check 10th and 11th October, All Shifts Good Attempts,…
Here we are providing the NICL AO Syllabus 2025 & Exam Pattern 2025. Candidates can…
Follow these Last Minute Tips for IBPS Clerk Exam 2026 to revise high-value topics, improve…
Check NICL AO Salary 2026, in-hand pay, revised pay scale, salary slip, allowances and benefits…
Check IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026, reporting time, exam duration, gate closing time, and…
In this blog, we have provided the IBPS RRB PO Topic Wise Weightage & Last…
Thousands of aspirants have cleared exams using PracticeMock’s exam-level mock tests.