125 Examples of Science Things

Science things are instruments, tools and supplies that are used to pursue scientific inquiry. This includes scientific tools used for fieldwork, classroom studies or laboratory research. The following is a list of common things used by scientists, students of science and science hobbyists. These include everyday things such as a thermometer and equipment that may be unfamiliar to many that nonetheless play a role in science and modern life.

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Physics

Instruments, sensors and equipment that are used to measure or model the physical world. As physics is a foundational science, many of these devices are used in a broad range of science and engineering domains. Many of the sensors listed are also found in everyday objects such as smartphones, vehicles and aircraft.

Accelerometer	Measures the acceleration of an object. Found in everyday objects such as vehicles and smartphones.
Balance Scale	A scale with two sides that can be balanced. Measures weight by balancing with reference weights.
Calorimeter	Measures the heat created by a chemical reaction or physical change. This relates to the everyday unit of energy known as a calorie.
Gyroscope	Provides stability and orientation information. Found in smartphones and game controllers.
Laser Rangefinder	Uses laser beams to measure the distance to an object.
Magnetometer	Measures the strength and direction of magnetic fields.
Magnets	Objects that produce a magnetic field.
Multimeter	Measures voltage, current, resistance, and other electrical properties.
Oscilloscope	Plots electrical signals over time.
Pendulum	A weight attached to a string or rod that swings back and forth. Demonstrates the principles of motion.
Photometer	Measures the intensity of light.
Pitot Tube	Measures flow velocity. Used in aircraft to measure the airflow around the aircraft that is then used to determine airspeed.
Sound Level Meter	Measures sound levels in decibels.
Spectrometer	Measures spectrum of light.
Spherometer	Measures the curvature of a surface.
Spring Scale	Measures weight based on the compression of a spring.
Tachometer	Measures the rotational speed of an object in revolutions per minute (RPM).
Thermal Imager	Captures images of infrared radiation that essentially visualize temperature.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of space including celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. This is a branch of physics that is popularly pursued by amateur astronomers who observe and study astronomical objects and events. The following are basic types of equipment, models and tools for astronomy.

Astrolabe	An ancient astronomical instrument used to track celestial objects. Can be used to determine local time based on the position of the Sun or Stars.
Astronomy Calendars	Calendars for astronomical events such as phases of the Moon, eclipses, planetary alignments and meteor shower peaks.
Astrophotography Filter	Photographic filters for photographing celestial objects.
Finderscope	A small telescope or sighting device mounted on a larger telescope.
Infrared Telescope	A telescope for observing the infrared radiation emitted by celestial objects.
Meteorites	Samples of meteoroids that survive their passage through the Earth's atmosphere to land on the surface.
Planetarium Projector	A projector for images of celestial phenomena.
Planisphere	A rotating star chart that allows you to identify stars and constellations.
Radio Telescope	A type of telescope that detects radio waves from space.
Sextant	A navigational instrument used to measure the angle between two visible objects. Can be used to determine latitude and longitude by measuring the angle of the Sun or stars above the horizon.
Sky Quality Meter	Measures the background brightness of the night sky. Used to assess light pollution that obstructs astronomy.
Solar Filter	A tool to reduce the intensity of sunlight for solar observation.
Solar System Model	A physical model of the solar system, often to scale.
Solar Telescope	A specialized telescope designed for observing the Sun.
Star Chart	A graphical representation of the night sky at a specific time and place.
Star Finder	Another type of star chart where you rotate a disk to match the current time.
Telescope	An optical instrument that magnifies light to observe distant celestial objects.
Tripod	Support structures for your telescope and camera.

Chemistry

Equipment, supplies and tools for the study of chemistry. Most of these are familiar to anyone who has ever taken a high school chemistry class. These are mostly different types of containers for chemicals, tools for creating chemical reactions and equipment for separating mixtures and solutions.

Beakers	A cylindrical container with a flat bottom and a spout for pouring.
Bunsen Burner	A gas burner used in laboratories to provide an open flame.
Burettes	A tool for the controlled release of liquid.
Centrifuge	Lab equipment that spins samples at high speeds to separate mixtures based on density.
Chromatography Columns	A tool for separating mixtures.
Crucible	A small container used to heat materials to high temperatures.
Evaporating Dish	A shallow, flat dish used to evaporate solvents such as water from a solution leaving behind solid residues.
Filter Paper	A porous paper used to separate solids from liquids or gases.
Funnel	A conical-shaped device used to pour liquids or fine substances into containers.
Graduated Cylinders	Cylindrical containers with measurement markings used to measure the volume of liquids.
Hot Plate	A heated surface for heating substances in a laboratory setting.
Magnetic Stirrer	A device that uses a rotating magnetic field to stir liquids in a container.
Mortar & Pestle	A tool for crushing, grinding and mixing solids.
Petri Dishes	Shallow, flat, cylindrical containers with lids. Mostly used for cultivating microorganisms or growing cell cultures.
Pipettes	Instruments used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquids.
Reagents	Substances or compounds used to cause a chemical reaction, often as a test to detect the presence of a substance.
Test Tubes	Glass or plastic tubes used to hold small quantities of liquids or solids.
pH Strips	Paper or plastic strips that change color based on the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

Biology

Basic tools for the study of biology and a few examples of more advanced equipment related to analysis of DNA. This includes lab equipment and tools for fieldwork.

Dissection Kit	A set of tools for dissecting biological specimens.
DNA Sequencer	Determines the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.
Fluorescence Microscope	Uses fluorescence and phosphorescence to study properties of organic and inorganic substances.
Human Anatomy Models	Three-dimensional representations of the human body or its parts.
Incubator	A controlled environment chamber for the growth of microorganisms, cells or embryos.
Magnifying Glass	A convex lens that enlarges the appearance of objects.
Mass Spectrometer	Used to identify and quantify substances by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.
Microorganism Test Kits	Diagnostic tests used to detect and identify specific microorganisms in samples.
Microscope	An optical instrument that magnifies small objects.
Microscope Slides	Thin sheets of glass or plastic used to hold specimens for examination under a microscope.
Microtome	Used to cut thin slices of tissue or other materials.
Nutrient Test Kit	Kits used to analyze the nutrient content of samples.
PCR Machine	A laboratory device used to amplify DNA sequences for analysis.
Plant Growth Light	An artificial light source designed to support photosynthesis.
Plant Press	A tool used to flatten and preserve plant specimens.
Prepared Slides	Microscope slides that have been mounted with specimens.
Sample Vials	Containers for storing biological or chemical samples.
Scalpel	A small, sharp cutting device used for surgical and dissection purposes.

Meteorology

Equipment for measuring the weather. This is used in the complex process of weather forecasting but also has many other applications. For example, an experiment involving outdoor crops that records daily weather parameters such as rainfall as extraneous variables. It is also common for households and weather enthusiasts to own basic weather devices such as a hygrometer that displays the humidity level.

Anemometer	Measures wind speed.
Barometer	Measures atmospheric pressure.
Ceilometer	Measures the height of clouds.
Doppler Radar	Determine the speed and direction of moving precipitation particles such as rain or snow.
Hydrograph	A chart of water flow or water level at a location such as a river.
Hygrometer	Measures humidity.
Light Meter	Measures light intensity.
Lightning Detector	Detects and locates lightning strikes.
Pyranometer	Measures the amount of solar energy per unit of area.
Radiometer	Measures the intensity of electromagnetic radiation including light and heat.
Rain Gauge	Measures the amount of rain in a period of time.
Snow Gauge	Measures snow depth and accumulation over time.
Thermograph	Records temperature over time.
Thermometer	Measures temperature at a point in time.
Tide Gauge	Measures sea level changes at a location.
UV Meter	Measures the intensity of ultraviolet light.
Weather Balloon	A large balloon that carries instruments to measure atmospheric conditions to various altitudes.
Wind Vane	An instrument used to determine wind direction.

Geology

Equipment for geology including tools for locating, identifying, collecting and analyzing mineral samples in the field. This includes basic tools for amateur geologists that are often centered around finding minerals for a collection.

Core Sampler	A device used to extract cylindrical samples of soil and other materials from the ground.
Geological Hammer	A hammer used for splitting and breaking rocks with a flat head on one side and a pick head on the other.
Geological Maps	Maps that depict the rock layers of the Earth's surface.
Hand Lens	A magnifying glass for use in the field.
Handheld Magnetometer	Measures the strength and direction of magnetic fields.
Mineral Identification Kit	Contains tools and reference information for identifying minerals based on factors such as hardness and color.
Mineral Specimens	A library of mineral samples for use in the lab or classroom.
Mohs Hardness Kit	A kit that contains minerals with known hardness such as quartz, topaz, corundum and diamond. These can be used to estimate the hardness of minerals in the field by testing what can scratch what.
Petrographic Microscope	A specialized microscope used to examine thin sections of rocks and minerals.
Rock Crusher	As the name suggests, a machine or device used to crush rocks.
Rock Saw	A saw with a hard blade, typically diamond, used to slice through rocks and other minerals.
Seismograph	Measures seismic waves such as earthquakes.
Sieve Set	Mesh screens of varying sizes used to separate particles based on size.
Soil Auger	A tool used for drilling into the ground.
Soil Test Kits	Tools and reagents for analyzing soil properties such as pH.
Stratigraphy Chart	A visual depiction of the layers of rock in a geological formation.
Theodolite	An optical instrument used in surveying to determine precise locations and elevations.
Topographic Map	A detailed representation of the Earth's surface including elevation, landforms and other natural features.

Other Science Gear

One thing to note about the list above is that many of these devices and supplies are used across multiple sciences. For example, pH strips are listed under chemistry but are also used by biologists and geologists. The following is a list of essentials that are used by all sciences including mathematical instruments and things that are generally useful for fieldwork.