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- /

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

• galvanometry
  noun
• galvanometric
  adjective
• galvanometrically
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of galvanometer

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

galvanometer

Figure 21.33 A small shunt resistance R placed in parallel with a galvanometer G produces an ammeter, the full-scale deflection of which depends on the choice of R .

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

When the galvanometer reads zero, emfx = IRx , where Rx is the resistance of the section of wire up to the contact point.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The segment of wire has a resistance Rx and script Ex = IRx , where I is unaffected by the connection since no current flows through the galvanometer.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

For other voltage ranges, other resistances are placed in series with the galvanometer.

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

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