Goniometreja

Goniometreja, commonly referred to as goniometers, are instruments designed to measure angles or the orientation of objects relative to a reference plane. The term derives from Greek gonia, meaning angle, and metron, meaning measure. A typical goniometer consists of two arms joined at a pivot, often with a protractor-scale readout, allowing the angle between the arms to be read directly. Some models include sliding or rotating scales and can be mounted on a stand or integrated into other equipment.

In medicine and rehabilitation, goniometreja are used to assess range of motion in joints such as the knee, elbow, and shoulder. Clinicians align the instrument with anatomical landmarks and record the joint angle to monitor progress and guide therapy. Variants include mechanical universal goniometers and digital or electrogoniometers that incorporate sensors to log measurements over time.

In scientific research, goniometreja measure angular relationships and orientations. In X-ray crystallography, for example, a goniometer rotates the crystal and detector about precise angles to collect diffraction data and determine crystal structure. Similar devices are used in materials science and in optics and metrology for precise angular alignment and measurement tasks.

Calibration and quality control are important for reliable results. Mechanical goniometers often provide measurements to fractions of a degree, while high-precision models used in crystallography and metrology can achieve finer angular resolution. Regular calibration against known angular standards ensures traceability and measurement accuracy.