radiometer

[ rey-dee-om-i-ter ]

noun

1. Also called Crookes radiometer. an instrument for demonstrating the transformation of radiant energy into mechanical work, consisting of an exhausted glass vessel containing vanes that revolve about an axis when exposed to light.
2. an instrument for detecting and measuring small amounts of radiant energy.

radiometer

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈmɛtrɪk; ˌreɪdɪˈɒmɪtə /

noun

1. any instrument for the detection or measurement of radiant energy

radiometer

/ rā′dē-ŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. 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.
2. Also called light mill

Derived Forms

• ˌradiˈometry, noun
• radiometric, adjective

Other Words From

• ra·di·o·met·ric [rey-dee-oh-, me, -trik], adjective
• radi·ome·try noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiometer¹

First recorded in 1870–75; radio- + -meter

Example Sentences

And a radiometer will sense how much of the energy falling on to Earth from the Sun is being reflected or radiated back into space.

From BBC

Instead, they have tapped into data from GPS satellite radiometers, capturing the sunlight bouncing off the Arctic.

From Science Daily

Juno is also equipped with a tool called a “microwave radiometer.”

From Scientific American

Mission managers intend to use microwave radiometers to see through clouds and measure the temperature and moisture of tropical storms.

From Science Magazine

The instrument, a mini microwave radiometer, can measure heat and light emanating from oxygen and water vapor in the air.

From The Verge