ra·di·om·e·ter (r  d - m  -t r)n. 1. A device that measures the intensity of radiant energy, consisting of a partially evacuated glass bulb containing lightweight vertical vanes, each blackened on one side, suspended radially about a central vertical axis to permit their revolution about the axis as a result of incident radiation. 2. An instrument that detects electromagnetic radiation. ra di·o·metric (- -m trk) adj.ra di·ome·try n. |
radiometer [ˌreɪdɪˈɒmɪtə]
n
(Physics / General Physics) any instrument for the detection or measurement of radiant energy
radiometric [ˌreɪdɪəʊˈmɛtrɪk] adj
radiometry n
| radiometer (rd-m-tr) A device used to detect or measure radiation. Radiometers generally consist of a glass bulb containing a rarefied gas in which four diamond-shaped paddles are mounted on a central axis. Each paddle is black on one side and silvery on the other. When radiation such as sunlight strikes them, the black side absorbs radiation and the silvery side reflects it, resulting in a temperature difference between the two sides and causing motion of gas molecules around the edges of the paddles. This motion of the surrounding gas molecules causes the paddles to spin. Precision radiometers, which use a complete vacuum rather than a gas, exploit the difference in radiation pressure on either side of the paddles to cause them to spin. Radiometers measure the intensity of radiation by measuring the rate of spin of the paddles. Also called light mill. |
radiometer
an instrument for measuring the intensity of radiant energy, composed of vanes which rotate at speeds proportionate to the intensity of the energy source. — radiometric, adj.
See also: Sunan instrument for measuring the intensity of radiant energy, composed of vanes which rotate at speeds proportionate to the intensity of the energy source. — radiometric, adj.
See also: Instruments
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  radiometer - meter to detect and measure radiant energy (electromagnetic or acoustic)Crookes radiometer - electromagnetic radiometer consisting of a small paddlewheel that rotates when placed in daylight meter - any of various measuring instruments for measuring a quantity radiomicrometer - radiometer that is extremely sensitive Rayleigh disk - an acoustic radiometer consisting of a light disk suspended from a quartz thread; when exposed to a progressive sound wave its torque can measure velocity |
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