Halometer

/ˌhæl.ˈɑːm.ə.tər/ noun

Definition

An instrument that measures the salt content or salinity of a solution, typically used in chemistry and marine science.

Etymology

From Greek 'halo-' (salt) plus '-meter' (measuring device, from 'metron' meaning measure). Following the standard pattern of scientific instruments (thermometer, barometer, densimeter), halometer combines the substance being measured with the measurement suffix.

Kelly Says

Sailors and scientists use halometers to check ocean salinity, and different oceans have different salt levels—the Dead Sea is about 10 times saltier than the Atlantic—which dramatically affects how dense the water is and whether things float or sink.

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