Emerging Physics

3

Sensors and Transducers

Chapter Outline

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Electrical transducers

3.3 Selecting a transducer

3.4 Temperature sensors

3.5 Light sensors

3.1 INTRODUCTION

The entire development of physics, and all science, is based on measurement. It is often required to perform measurement of a physical parameter or quantity that is encountered. The physical parameter or quantity to be measured is referred to as the measurand. Some common examples are temperature, pressure, force, velocity, flow, acceleration, humidity, and light intensity. Whenever a measurement is to be performed, the measurand has to be converted into some form suitable for observation and further action. A device that converts a measurand into a suitable form is called ...