galvanometer

American  

[gal-vuh-nom-i-ter] / ˌgæl vəˈnɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. an instrument for detecting the existence of small electric currents and determining their strength.

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galvanometer British  

/ ˌɡælvəˈnɒmɪtə, ɡælˌvænə-, ˌɡælvənəʊˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

1. any sensitive instrument for detecting or measuring small electric currents

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galvanometer Scientific  

/ găl′və-nŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. An instrument that detects small electric currents and indicates their direction and relative strength. Current flowing through the galvanometer passes through a coil near a magnetized needle on a pivot; the strength of the current in the coil regulates the strength of a magnetic field that displaces the needle. Galvanometers can be used directly as ammeters, and are the core element of many ohmmeters and voltmeters.

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Other Word Forms

• galvanometric adjective
• galvanometrically adverb
• galvanometry noun

Etymology

Origin of galvanometer

First recorded in 1795–1805; galvano- + -meter

Example Sentences

When the switch is opened and closed, the galvanometer registers currents in opposite directions.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

There are practical limits to galvanometer sensitivity, but it is possible to get analog meters that make measurements accurate to a few percent.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

By connecting resistors to this galvanometer in different ways, you can use it as either a voltmeter or ammeter that can measure a broad range of voltages or currents.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

This equation is used to calculate the unknown resistance when current through the galvanometer is zero.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

He used an electric current to stimulate an amphibian’s calf, then employed the galvanometer to measure how long it took the electrical current to run along the sciatic nerve.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel