gravimeter

views updated May 08 2018

gravimeter An instrument for measuring the gravitational acceleration. Most field instruments are relative instruments, i.e. they determine the difference in gravitational acceleration between two or more points. Most operate by determining the change in extension of a spring loaded with a constant mass. Laboratory instruments can be absolute and are based on dropping masses, vibrating strings, or oscillating pendulum systems.

gravimeter

views updated May 18 2018

gra·vim·e·ter / grəˈvimitər/ • n. an instrument for measuring the difference in the force of gravity from one place to another.