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Glite Dictionary
Crookes radiometer

Crookes radiometer

8.7
A small glass device with thin blades that spin when light hits them
  • noun
  • /ˈkruːks ˈreɪdiˌɒmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : radiómetro de Crookes
  • A Crookes radiometer can illustrate the conversion of light energy into mechanical motion.

Examples

  • The scientist demonstrated how the Crookes radiometer spun faster in direct sunlight.

  • The Crookes radiometer spins in sunlight.

  • As a child, I was fascinated by the Crookes radiometer in my grandfather's study.

  • A Crookes radiometer spins.

  • The Crookes radiometer provides a visual demonstration of how light can produce motion.

  • In science class, we observed how the Crookes radiometer spins when exposed to a lamp.

  • He explained the principles of energy conversion using a Crookes radiometer as an example.

Synonyms

radiometer
vsCrookes radiometer
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A device that measures energy from light or heat

is a specific instrument with lightweight vanes that spin in light

Surface Forms

Crookes radiometer singular

Morphology

Crookes + radiometer

The headword combines a proper name ('Crookes') with 'radiometer' (an instrument for measuring radiation), so a learner who knows 'radiometer' will infer this is a particular kind of radiometer. However, the specific behavior (light-driven spinning vanes) and the eponymous naming are not predictable from the constituents alone, making the meaning only partly derivable.

Etymology

Crookes radiometer is named after Sir William Crookes and is a small glass bulb with tiny black and white vanes that spin when light shines on them. The image of the dark and light vanes turning in sunlight helps you remember that this device shows how 'light' can make things move.