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

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

First, it is not possible to get the current through the galvanometer to be exactly zero.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

No current flows through the galvanometer when the switch remains closed or open.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Helmholtz’s use of the galvanometer symbolized not just how scientists were measuring human capacity, but why.

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