Sensors

Sensor is a part of the measurement system which gives response to a particular physical parameter. Strain gauge is a simple sensor system. There exist 6 categories in sensors. They are mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, magnetic and radiant. Strain gauge is a mechanical sensor which senses force. Mechanical sensors can also sense distance, velocity, acceleration and size. Electrical sensors can sense parameters like current, resistance, voltage, capacitance and inductance.  Chemical sensors are able to sense concentration of the chemical entity and also its crystal structure in advanced cases. Temperature, heat capacity, phase changes, latent heat etc. are sensed by thermal sensors. Magnetic field strength and flux density are the parameters which a magnetic sensor can sense. Radiant sensors can sense frequency, intensity, polarity and phase of electromagnetic radiation.