The word "voltmeter" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of /vəʊltmiːtə/. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound followed by a "v" sound. The second syllable is "lt" followed by a "m" sound, making it easy to remember. The final syllable is "eetə" which sounds like "meter" in American English. This spelling represents the correct pronunciation and helps individuals to understand the correct way to spell and pronounce the word, which is an essential instrument for measuring electrical potential difference.
A voltmeter is a measuring instrument used to quantify the voltage or potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. It is commonly used in both scientific and industrial applications to provide accurate measurements of voltage.
A voltmeter consists of a sensitive meter, known as a galvanometer, which is connected in parallel with a high resistance known as a voltage divider. The voltage to be measured is connected across the input terminals of the voltmeter, causing a current to flow through the galvanometer and produce a proportional deflection on the meter scale.
Voltmeters can be categorized into two types: analog and digital. Analog voltmeters provide voltage readings as a continuous deflection of a pointer on a scale. They rely on a moving coil or iron vane mechanism to measure the electrical potential. On the other hand, digital voltmeters utilize digital display technology to provide more precise and accurate measurements. They convert the analog input voltage into digital form and display it directly on a screen.
Voltmeters are available in various ranges, from millivolts to kilovolts, allowing for measurements of small electrical signals as well as high voltage sources. They are important tools for engineers, electricians, and scientists, enabling the monitoring of voltage levels in electrical systems, troubleshooting, and ensuring system safety.
An apparatus for measuring the electromotive force or difference of potential.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "voltmeter" is derived from two parts: "volt" and "meter".
- "Volt" is the unit of measurement for electric potential difference or voltage. It is named after Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist who invented the voltaic pile (an early form of battery) and made significant contributions to the field of electricity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- "Meter" refers to an instrument used for measuring or indicating something. It comes from the Greek word "metron", which means "measure".
Combining these two parts, "voltmeter" is a compound word coined to describe an instrument that measures electric potential difference or voltage.