Altimeter
Altimeter
Altimeter (/ælˈtɪmɪtər/; from Latin altus, "high" and Greek metron, "measure") is a device used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. The measurement of altitude is called altimetry, which is related to the term bathymetry, the measurement of depth under water.
Etymology
The word "altimeter" comes from the Latin altus, meaning "high", and the Greek metron, meaning "measure". This reflects the device's function of measuring altitude.
Function
An altimeter functions by calculating the altitude above a pre-determined level, usually sea level. This is done through the measurement of atmospheric pressure, which decreases as altitude increases. The most common type of altimeter is the barometric altimeter, which uses changes in air pressure to determine altitude.
Types of Altimeters
There are several types of altimeters, including:
- Barometric Altimeter: This is the most common type of altimeter and it measures altitude by reading air pressure.
- Radar Altimeter: This type of altimeter measures altitude above the terrain presently beneath an aircraft or spacecraft.
- GPS Altimeter: This type of altimeter uses global positioning system data to determine altitude.
Related Terms
- Altitude: The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
- Barometer: An instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used especially in forecasting the weather and determining altitude.
- Pressure Altitude: The altitude in the standard atmosphere at which the pressure is the same as the existing pressure.
- Density Altitude: The altitude relative to the standard atmosphere conditions at which the air density would be equal to the indicated air density at the place of observation.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Altimeter
- Wikipedia's article - Altimeter
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