Where does one read the measurement when measuring the volume of water in a graduated cylinder?

Although the process involved when measuring the volume of water from a graduated cylinder is a simple one, you won't get an accurate result if you don't follow certain steps. The first thing you should do is to make sure that your eyes are fixed on the graduating cylinder, particularly at the level where you have the water.

You should know that this step is not enough as you might still make a mistake. While at this position, always take the measurement at the bottom of the meniscus level. Normally, when you pour water into graduated cylinders, there is always a curved surface at the top of the water.

So, the term meniscus refers to the dip of the curved surface you notice whenever you pour water into graduated cylinders. The reason for this is because the force of attraction between the glass and the molecules of water is higher than the one between the water molecules.

The correct answer to this question is At the bottom of the meniscus curve. To be able to measure water that is in glass, you must look at eye level at the top surface of the glass. Then, the bottom of the meniscus should be ascertained.

The bottom of the meniscus is the surface at the top of the water that is curved. The reason why the meniscus forms is due to the water molecules that stick to the side of the glass. This makes a force that is stronger and will also create a liquid column that is U-Shaped.

If you would like to know the measurement of the liquid that has been placed inside the graduated cylinder, what you have to do is to know what type of graduated cylinder you are using. There are different sizes that are available and depending on the size will be the needed measurement.

Graduated cylinders will usually be in milliliters. For every 100 ml cylinder, each division will be equivalent to 1ml. Make sure that your eye will be on the same level as the area where the liquid is. This will allow you to read the volume correctly. If not, you would see a concaved version of the liquid which means that your reading may be wrong.

At the bottom of the meniscus curve

To measure water in glass, you must look at the top surface at eye-level, and ascertain the location of the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface at the top of the water). The meniscus forms because water molecules adhere to the sides of the glass, which is a slightly stronger force than their cohesion to each other. This leads to a U-shaped top of the liquid column, the bottom of which gives the most accurate volume measurement. (Other liquids have different forces, e.g. mercury in glass, which has a convex meniscus.) This is consistent only with answer (B).