They also detect metal nails density changes and wires. Will also locate steel studs.

Stud Finder Wikipedia
Stud finder how it works. The latest technology in stud finders uses a very small radar system to detect the stud. Slide the stud finder across the wall and it will beep andor light up when it crosses a stud. The circuit in the stud finder can sense the change and reports it on its display. Its only too bad we can have them design one to find underground wiring. The second patent below shows you exactly how to build this sort of stud finder. By measuring the electrostatic field of a wall and detect slight differences in the flow of electrons stud finders detect the relative change in density and thereby studs showing the best place to drive that nail.
It works on a capacitance differential generated by density difference. Getting a bead on your studs another really cool product is the franklin prosensor 710 stud finder which can locate multiple studs at the same time and uses an array of leds to indicate the position of a wood or steel stud behind the drywall. If you have just moved into. A stud finder also stud detector or stud sensor is a handheld device used with wood buildings to locate framing studs located behind the final walling surface usually drywall. They are normally handheld devices which are used to sense where the material behind the device is denser. How it works use a stud finder.
A stud finder is essentially a battery operated electromagnetic tool that detects the so called framing studs. Stud finder that utilizes a moving magnetic piston to locate studs under sheetrock plaster or tile. Modern electronic stud finders operate by measuring the capacitance difference in the wall to identify where a wall is denser. This is the simplest most effective way to find studs. When pointed at an empty wall the sound takes longer to bounce back than it does when it is in front of a stud. As you would imagine this is an indispensable gadget when it comes to hanging a coat rack a shelf or any heavy duty object on the wall.
A simpler stud finder. Because standard stud finders detect a change in density inside the wall they dont work on lath and plaster the density inside these walls is not constant enough. Theyre incredibly useful and you can find a huge range of them online. Stud finders are little devices used to locate the beam of wood metal wiring running through drywall so you can find something strong to screw things too. Basically the radar in the stud finder shoots out a radio wave that bounces back once it reaches an object. Any stud finder will work well however they all work differently.