A photometer is an instrument designed to measure the intensity of light. It is used to determine how much light is received over a particular area. Photometers are vital in various fields such as photography, astronomy, and laboratory science for ensuring that light levels are appropriate for specific applications.
The device operates by assessing the brightness or illumination coming from a light source and comparing it with a standard light. The measurement can be displayed in different units such as lumens or lux, depending on the context of the measurement.
While photometers are focused on the intensity of light, they do not measure kinetic energy of liberated electrons, the frequency of light, or the wavelength of light. These quantities are measured using other specialized instruments, such as spectrometers or frequency analyzers.