Scientific Instruments & Measurements MCQs with Answers
Solved Scientific Instruments & Measurements MCQs with answers — barometer, thermometer, seismograph, ammeter, telescope & SI units. Free quiz + PDF for PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS & PMS.
Scientific Instruments & Measurements — Master Reference for Pakistani Competitive Exams
The chapter Scientific Instruments & Measurements is one of the highest-yield Everyday Science topics in Pakistan’s PPSC, FPSC, NTS, CSS, PMS, OTS, CTS, BPSC, KPPSC and SPSC One Paper exams. Almost every Junior Clerk, Tehsildar, Assistant, Sub-Inspector, Lecturer and BPS-14 to BPS-17 paper carries 3–5 MCQs from this chapter — these are guaranteed-marks, single-fact questions (“Which instrument measures X?” / “What is the SI unit of Y?”). This page consolidates solved MCQs with answers covering the most-tested scientific instruments (barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, anemometer, seismograph, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, ammeter, voltmeter, ohmmeter, galvanometer, microscope, telescope, ECG, EEG, endoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, hydrometer, lactometer, calorimeter, manometer, pyrometer) and core scientific measurements / units — including all seven SI base units (metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, candela) plus newton, pascal, joule, watt, hertz, volt, ohm, coulomb, tesla, knot, light year, parsec and carat. For wider context, see Wikipedia: List of Measuring Instruments and the BIPM SI base units — the official international authority on units of measurement.
Most-Tested Scientific Instruments
| Instrument | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Barometer | Atmospheric pressure |
| Thermometer | Temperature |
| Hygrometer | Humidity (air or gas) |
| Anemometer | Wind speed |
| Seismograph / Seismometer | Earthquakes (force & duration) |
| Stethoscope | Sounds in the body (heart, lungs) |
| Sphygmomanometer | Blood pressure (arterial) |
| Cardiograph | Heart movements |
| Electrocardiograph (ECG) | Electrical changes during heartbeat |
| Electroencephalograph (EEG) | Brain waves |
| Audiometer | Acuity of hearing |
| Endoscope | Interior of hollow organs |
| Otoscope | Ear (tympanic membrane) |
| Ophthalmoscope | Retina & eye interior |
| Cystoscope | Bladder |
| Laryngoscope | Larynx |
| Gastroscope | Stomach interior |
| Spirometer | Lung air capacity |
| Speedometer | Speed of a vehicle |
| Odometer | Distance travelled by a vehicle |
| Pedometer | Steps walked / distance on foot |
| Tachograph | Speed of rotation |
| Hydrometer | Density of liquids |
| Lactometer | Density of milk |
| Saccharimeter | Sugar in solution |
| Salinometer | Salt in solution |
| Manometer | Gas / vapour pressure |
| Pyrometer | Very high temperatures |
| Calorimeter | Heat (absorbed/emitted) |
| Galvanometer | Small electric current |
| Ammeter | Electric current (in amperes) |
| Voltmeter | Potential difference (volts) |
| Ohmmeter | Electrical resistance (ohms) |
| Wattmeter | Electric power (watts) |
| Microscope | Enlarged images of minute objects |
| Telescope | Distant objects |
| Altimeter | Altitude (especially in aircraft) |
| Fathometer | Underwater depth (using sound) |
| Udometer / Hyetometer | Rainfall |
| Refractometer | Refractive index |
| Magnetometer | Magnetic field intensity |
| Chronometer | Accurate time |
| Polygraph | Multiple physiological pulsations (lie detector) |
The Seven SI Base Units
| Unit | Quantity Measured |
|---|---|
| Metre (m) | Length |
| Kilogram (kg) | Mass |
| Second (s) | Time |
| Ampere (A) | Electric current |
| Kelvin (K) | Thermodynamic temperature |
| Mole (mol) | Amount of substance |
| Candela (cd) | Luminous intensity |
Other Common Units & What They Measure
| Unit | Measures |
|---|---|
| Newton (N) | Force |
| Pascal (Pa) | Pressure / stress |
| Joule (J) | Work, energy, heat |
| Watt (W) | Power |
| Hertz (Hz) | Frequency |
| Volt (V) | Electric potential difference |
| Ohm (Ω) | Electrical resistance |
| Coulomb (C) | Electric charge |
| Tesla (T) | Magnetic flux density |
| Knot | Speed of a ship |
| Light year | Distance (used in astronomy) |
| Parsec (Pc) | Distance in astronomy |
| Carat | Mass of precious stones / purity of gold |
| Decibel (dB) | Sound or signal power level |
| Bar | Pressure |
| Astronomical Unit (AU) | Distance in solar system |
Exam tip: Lock six anchors and you cover ~80% of all MCQs from this chapter — Barometer = pressure, Hygrometer = humidity / Anemometer = wind, Sphygmomanometer = BP / Stethoscope = body sounds, Seismograph = earthquakes, 7 SI base units (m, kg, s, A, K, mol, cd), and Light year & Parsec = astronomical distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
A barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure — and is also used in forecasting weather and determining altitude.
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure — especially arterial blood pressure.
An ammeter measures electric current in amperes. A voltmeter measures the difference in electric potential (volts) between two points in an electrical circuit.
The seven SI base units are: Metre (length), Kilogram (mass), Second (time), Ampere (electric current), Kelvin (thermodynamic temperature), Mole (amount of substance), and Candela (luminous intensity).
A seismograph (also called seismometer) is the instrument used to detect and record earthquakes. The Richter scale is the measure of earthquake magnitude.
Yes — essential. Scientific Instruments & Measurements MCQs are guaranteed in every One Paper, NTS NAT, GAT, OTS, CTS, BPSC, KPPSC, SPSC, PPSC and FPSC exam — these are easy single-fact questions worth 3–5 marks per 100-mark paper, and core CSS Screening (General Science & Ability) content.
Yes. Click the Download PDF button to get all Scientific Instruments & Measurements MCQs with correct answers as a branded QuizWing PDF for offline revision.