gravimeter

gra·vim·e·ter

G0241200 (gră-vĭm′ĭ-tər, grā′və-mē′-)n.1. An instrument used to measure specific gravity.2. An instrument used to measure the strength of a gravitational field.

[French gravimètre : Latin gravis, heavy; see gravity + French -mètre, -meter.]

gra·vim′e·try (gră-vĭm′ĭ-trē, grə-) n.

gravimeter

(ɡrəˈvɪmɪtə) n1. (General Physics) an instrument for measuring the earth's gravitational field at points on its surface2. (General Physics) an instrument for measuring relative density[C18: from French gravimètre, from Latin gravis heavy] graˈvimetry n

gra•vim•e•ter

(grəˈvɪm ɪ tər)

n. 1. an instrument for measuring the specific gravity of a solid or liquid. 2. an instrument for measuring variations in the gravitational field of the earth. [1790–1800; < French gravimètre= Latin gravi(s) heavy + -mètre -meter] grav•i•met•ric (ˌgræv əˈmɛ trɪk) adj. grav`i•met′ri•cal•ly, adv.

gra·vim·e·ter

(gră-vĭm′ĭ-tər)1. An instrument used to measure specific gravity.2. An instrument used to measure variations in a gravitational field.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	gravimeter - a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solidhydrometermeasuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of somethingsalinometer - a hydrometer that determines the concentration of salt solutions by measuring their densitythermogravimeter, thermohydrometer - a hydrometer that includes a thermometer
	2.	gravimeter - a measuring instrument for measuring variations in the gravitational field of the earthgravity metermeasuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something

gravimeter

1. an instrument for measuring the earth's gravitational field at points on its surface 2. an instrument for measuring relative density

Gravimeter

an instrument for the relative measurement of the acceleration due to gravity. Most gravimeters consist of accurate spring or torsion balances.

Differences in the acceleration due to gravity are measured by means of such gravimeters according to the change in the deformation of a spring or the angle of twist of an elastic thread that are compensating the force of gravity on a small weight. Measurements are made first at a starting point, for which the acceleration due to gravity is known, and then at the point being studied. The main difficulty in constructing a gravimeter is the need to provide precise measurement of small elastic deformations under field conditions. Optical, photoelectric, capacity, and inductive means of recording are used. Gravimeters are used that are based on measurement of the change in frequency of vibration of a string from which a weight is suspended or of the change in rate of precession of gyroscopic instruments because of different forces of gravity at the different points of measurement. The best gravimeters are sensitive to within a few ten-thousandths of a milligal.

There are special gravimeters for measuring the force of gravity at the bottom of shallow bodies of water, in surface and submarine vessels, and in airplanes. For measurements from moving objects, gravimeters are equipped with auxiliary apparatus that records the inclination of the base of the instrument and the acceleration caused by rolling. Some gravimeters make possible the continuous recording of solar-lunar variations in gravity over a period of several months. To calibrate gravimeter readings, measurements are made at points for which the difference in the acceleration due to gravity is known or at a single point with different inclinations of the gravimeter.

Surface and borehole gravimeters provide measurements of the acceleration of gravity that are accurate to 0.01 milligal; sea-bottom gravimeters, to 0.05 milligal; marine shipmounted gravimeters, to 0.5 milligal; and airborne gravimeters, to 5 milligals.

REFERENCES

Lukavchenko, P. I. Gravimetricheskaia razvedka na neft’ i gaz. Moscow, 1956.
Veselov, K. E., and M. U. Sagitov. Gravimetricheskaia razvedka. Moscow, 1968.
Spravochnik geofizika, vol. 5. Moscow, 1968.

P. I. LUKAVCHENKO and M. U. SAGITOV

gravimeter

[grə′vim·əd·ər] (engineering) A highly sensitive weighing device used for relative measurement of the force of gravity by detecting small weight differences of a constant mass at different points on the earth. Also known as gravity meter.

gravimeter

gra·vim·e·ter

gravimeter

gra•vim•e•ter

gra·vim·e·ter

gravimeter

gravimeter

Gravimeter

REFERENCES

gravimeter

gravimeter

hy·drom·e·ter

gra·vim·e·ter

gravimeter

Synonyms for gravimeter

noun a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid

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noun a measuring instrument for measuring variations in the gravitational field of the earth

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