Geographic instruments are those devices by which data is recognized in various areas of our environment. Such devices are needed literally to measure each individual natural phenomenon, and they bring benefits to all people on our planet.
What measures the temperature of air, soil and water?
Geographic studies of air, soil and water temperatures are carried out using three types of instruments. They are all called thermometers, but they are designed differently.
The principle of operation of liquid thermometers is to determine the change in temperature based on an increase or decrease in the volume of liquid in them. The liquid used in such thermometers is usually either mercury or alcohol.
Deformation thermometers work on the basis of the interaction of two different metals in them. A bimetallic alloy plate deforms differently because the metals used have different expansion coefficients. As a rule, the plate is made of steel and Invar. Invar is an alloy, not a separate metal. And they create it from nickel and iron.
Electric thermometers measure temperature based on the interaction of various bodies with electricity, changes in their electrical conductivity when exposed to temperatures.
How is air humidity measured?
In order to measure air humidity, three types of different geographical instruments are also used.
Using a condensation hygrometer at a small point, create the conditions of the so-called dew point (100% humidity). And they measure the real state of affairs on the basis of the difference in humidity indicators on the street and in the device. An inert gas helps to create dew point conditions, since it evaporates and condenses very quickly.
A psychrometer simultaneously measures both air humidity and its temperature. This instrument consists of two identical thermometers, one of which always remains dry and the other wet. Consequently, they give different testimonies. So, using the data from the measurement table for this device, you can determine not only the temperature, but also the humidity.
In a hair hygrometer, human hair or a special artificial film is used. These objects are able to change their length depending on the level of humidity in the air. And, deforming, they move along the scale, showing all the necessary data.
How is atmospheric pressure measured?
Geographic pressure studies are performed by barometers. There are four types of such devices: liquid, mercury, electronic, and aneroids.
A liquid barometer is two tubes that are interconnected vessels. And based on the change in the state of the liquid that is poured into them, conclusions are drawn about what is currently the atmospheric pressure. Fill these tubes with mercury, oil, or glycerin. Cup and siphon barometers also work on the basis of fluid properties.
A mercury barometer is also a tube that works on the principle of communicating vessels. One of the ends of this tube is sealed, and on the surface of the mercury is a float. And on the basis of where it stops on the scale, millimeters of mercury are measured.
The electronic barometer - one of the modern geographical instruments - has a programmed microprocessor that displays the level of atmospheric pressure, displaying data on the screen. Such a device receives this data through an aneroid.
Aneroid barometer - differs from liquid and mercury barriers in that it tracks changes in the state of the metal under the influence of a particular pressure.
What measure the speed and direction of the wind?
Several varieties of geographical instruments and tools exist for measuring wind speed and direction.
The simplest of them is a weather vane. It measures the necessary indicators above the surface of the earth (10-12 meters). The weather vane must be highly mobile to measure even very weak winds.
The Tretyakov’s windmeter has the same operating principle as the weather vane, however it is used to measure wind in the fields. This is because in open areas the wind speed can differ significantly from that in more enclosed spaces.
Anemorumbometer is a more advanced and modern device. It measures the speed and direction of the wind, converting them into electrical quantities.
An anemometer measures wind only at an average speed (from 1 to 20 m / s). This is a handheld device.
How is precipitation measured?
Precipitation refers to all the water that falls on the surface of the earth. They are liquid (rain, dew) and solid (snow, hail, hoarfrost, ice, snow pellets). They are measured in such a way as if they fell onto a flat surface without being absorbed into the ground. Three varieties of geographical instruments help calculate precipitation: the Tretyakov’s precipitation meter, the M-70 total precipitation meter, and the pluviograph.
The Tretyakov sediment meter is designed to measure both liquid and solid precipitation. The principle of its operation is that in a capacity of 200 square meters. cm rainfall flows, and a specially designed protection prevents them from blowing and evaporation.
The total precipitation meter is used for annual precipitation measurements. It consists of a cone-shaped part where precipitation falls, as well as a special removable pipe that closes with a valve. In order for the collected sediments not to evaporate, a small amount of mineral oil is poured into this precipitation meter. It covers the resulting liquid with a film.
A pluviograph is a complex device that measures precipitation on its own and records the results itself. It works like this: when a flask with many tubes reaches a certain limit, the liquid from the pluviograph drains into a bucket, and the programmed machine records the results.
What else is measured and what instruments?
In addition to these obvious natural factors, measurements are also being made of the radiation of the Sun, Earth and the atmosphere. To do this, use geographical devices such as:
- Pyrheliometer (measures direct solar radiation).
- Heliograph (measures the duration of sunshine).
- Pyrgeometer (a device for measuring the effective radiation of the earth's surface).
- Balance meter (used to measure the difference between the arrival and consumption of radiant energy).
- Actinometer (measures the intensity of electromagnetic radiation).
- Albedometer (photometric device for determining flat albedo).
- Pyranometer (used to measure solar radiation).
- Pyranograph (a device for continuous registration of solar radiation).
Visibility (using a nephelometer), elemental atmospheric electricity (electrometer), etc. are also measured.