Why Measuring Instruments Matter: Everyday Uses and Exam Tips
Measurement instruments are available in various shapes, sizes, and styles. A sundial was one of the first instruments used to determine the sun's location in the sky before innovators invented clocks to measure the passage of time.
Measuring Instruments
The marine chronometer, created in the 18th century, enabled ship captains to portray longitude to aid in successful sea navigation correctly. Global positioning systems nowadays calculate the length from a GPS satellite to a specific spot on Earth to pinpoint a location anywhere on the planet within a few meters.
Types of Measurement
In numerous fields of mathematics, we deal with certain basic types of measuring variables. They are as follows:
Time
Length
Weight
Volume
Temperature
Measurement Units
We have measurement units for several forms of measurement. We will take a look at the measuring units listed below:
Time units: includes milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, and so on.
Length: is measured in millimetres, centimetres, meters, and kilometres, among other units.
Weight: Weight units for specific objects include grams, kilograms, tonnes, etc.
Volume: is expressed using units such as cm3, m3, litres, and so forth.
Temperature: The most common temperature units are centigrade and Fahrenheit.
10 Measuring Instruments and Their Uses
Measuring equipment are necessary for many situations, including routine medical exams, weighing food, transportation, and regulating the temperature while cooking. Following are the types of measuring instruments and their uses:
Measuring tape: It is used to determine the length of a physical object. It is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport from one location to another.
Ruler: It is used in various scenarios, such as drawing lines and measuring distances. It is beneficial to the children's school projects.
The pressure gauge is mainly used daily to measure air and water pressure. Hypertension patients use it as a medical device to check their blood pressure.
Thermometer: This device is used to determine the temperature of the body and its surroundings. The digital thermometer offers a faster display than traditional thermometers.
Clock: It is used to measure time and assist you in organising it while performing several jobs.
Speedometer: This device is typically found inside automobile vehicles. A speedometer is used to measure the speed of moving things. It is also utilised for some scientific applications outside of cars.
Chronometer: A chronometer is used to measure the precise time at a known fixed place, particularly for navigation.
Measuring cups are mainly used for measuring food items, and bakers and cooks use them.
A glucometer is a specific medical instrument used to measure blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients use it.
Compass: The architect applies this tool to draw circles. It is also employed to compute the separation between two points on a map. Even the shipbuilding and construction industries can use it.
Summary
The usage of several measuring instrument types in many fields is explained in this article. Before inventors created clocks to track the passage of time, a sundial was one of the earliest tools to locate the sun in the sky. An extraordinary range of devices and tools enables humans to measure almost anything, including calculating travel distances, calculating the length of a board in construction, determining air and water temperatures, analysing wind speed, gauging tire pressure, and measuring the distance around the world.
FAQs on Uses of Measuring Instruments Explained for Students
1. What are measuring instruments and why are they important in daily life?
Measuring instruments are special tools used to find out the quantity of something, such as its length, weight, or temperature. They are very important because they help us be accurate and fair in our daily activities. For example, a clock measures time so you are not late for school, a weighing scale ensures you get the right amount of vegetables, and a thermometer tells you if you have a fever.
2. What are some common measuring instruments used at home, and what do they measure?
Several measuring instruments are commonly found at home. Here are a few examples:
Ruler or Measuring Tape: Used to measure length, like the size of a book or your height.
Weighing Scale: Used to measure weight, such as the weight of fruits or your own body weight.
Measuring Cups: Used in the kitchen to measure the volume of ingredients like milk or flour.
Thermometer: Used to measure temperature, either of the body or the room.
Clock or Watch: Used to measure time in hours, minutes, and seconds.
3. Why must we use standard units like metres and kilograms for measurement?
We must use standard units like metres and kilograms to ensure that everyone gets the same measurement result. In the past, people used non-standard units like hand spans or footsteps. However, these vary from person to person. Using a standard unit, like a kilogram, means that one kilogram of sugar is the same amount in any shop, anywhere in the world. This makes trade fair and scientific experiments reliable.
4. How do instruments like a thermometer or a rain gauge help us understand the weather?
Weather instruments help meteorologists measure different parts of the weather. A thermometer measures the air temperature, telling us if a day will be hot or cold. A rain gauge collects and measures the amount of rain that has fallen over a period. By using these and other instruments like an anemometer (for wind speed), scientists can understand weather patterns and forecast if it will be sunny, rainy, or windy.
5. What is the difference between an instrument that measures length, like a ruler, and one that measures weight, like a weighing scale?
The main difference is the physical property they measure. A ruler measures length, which is the distance from one point to another, in units like centimetres or inches. A weighing scale measures weight or mass, which is how heavy an object is, in units like grams or kilograms. You cannot use a ruler to find out how heavy a book is, nor can you use a weighing scale to find out how long it is.
6. Can you measure liquids like water with a ruler? Why is it important to use the correct instrument for each job?
No, you cannot measure liquids with a ruler. A ruler is designed to measure length, which is a solid, straight dimension. Liquids take the shape of their container and are measured by volume. For this, you need a measuring cup or a beaker. It is crucial to use the correct instrument because each tool is specifically designed for a particular type of measurement. Using the wrong tool, like using a clock to measure weight, would give a meaningless and incorrect result.
7. How would our world be different if we had no standardised way to measure time, like clocks or calendars?
Without a standardised way to measure time, our world would be very chaotic and disorganised. It would be impossible to:
Set schedules for school, work, or transport like buses and trains.
Cook a recipe that requires baking for a specific duration.
Plan meetings or events.
Coordinate with people in different places.
Measuring time allows our society to function in an orderly and efficient manner.
