Crookes radiometer

noun

, Optics.

1. radiometer ( def 1 ).

Crookes radiometer

noun

1. physics a type of radiometer consisting of an evacuated glass bulb containing a set of lightweight vanes, each blackened on one side. The vanes are mounted on a vertical axis and revolve when light, or other radiant energy, falls on them

Word History and Origins

Origin of Crookes radiometer¹

First recorded in 1880–85; after Sir W. Crookes

Example Sentences

Ditto for the Crookes Radiometer, which MoMA also just began selling.

From New York Times

It is a sort of differential bombardment of the gas molecules on the two faces of a dust particle somewhat analogous to the action on Mr. Crookes' radiometer vanes.

From Project Gutenberg