PROPER MEASURING OF

VOLUME IN CYLINDERS
 Graduated cylinders
-are thin glass tubes used to measure the
volumes of liquids. The process of calculating
volume using a graduated cylinder is
straightforward, but certain steps must be
taken to ensure an accurate reading and
maintain a safe working environment.
 5 Steps On How To Read a Graduated Cylinder
One of the most commonly used measuring devices in science is the graduated
cylinder, which measures liquid volume. Since graduated cylinders come in different
sizes, they also measure with different degrees of accuracy. Graduated cylinders can
be made of glass, borosilicate or plastic and must be read carefully to ensure
accuracy no matter what material is used.
The term "graduated" comes from the
gradations, or measurement marks, on the
1
cylinder. The graduated cylinder will have a
series of lines to show measurement intervals.
Learn the Gradations
Some lines will be marked with numbers while
intermediate marks will not be numbered.
Smaller graduated cylinders usually have
narrower measurement intervals so they measure
with greater accuracy.
 2 Determine the Measurement Interval
Count the number of smaller divisions between marked intervals. For example,
suppose the marked intervals are 1 ml, 2 ml and so on, and there are five smaller divisions
counted from one numbered line to the next. In this case, the measurement interval marked by
each line equals 1 (the numbered interval) divided by 5 (the count from one interval line to
next), or 1 ÷ 5 = 0.2 ml. So, this sample graduated cylinder measures accurately to 0.2 ml.
Reasonable estimation can be made if the measured liquid lies between the marked

how
intervals, but this estimated reading will be less accurate.

3 Find the Meniscus

All liquids have cohesion or attraction between their molecules. This
cohesion holds the surface of the liquid in place, but molecules in contact
with the side of a container adhere to that wall, resulting in a curved
surface. This curved surface is called the meniscus. The curve of the meniscus
depends on the liquid. Water and mercury have two of the most extreme
curves because of their strong cohesion. Isopropyl alcohol, on the other
hand, has a very flat meniscus.
 4 Read the Meniscus
To correctly read a graduated cylinder, the surface at the center of
the meniscus must be read, not the top of the ring of liquid clinging to the
wall of the graduated cylinder. For most liquids, this "center" will be the
lowest point of the meniscus. For a very few liquids, like mercury, the center
of the meniscus will be the highest point of the liquid. To properly read the
meniscus, your line of sight must be level with the center of the curve of the
meniscus.
 5 Read the Graduated Cylinder
Once the measurement interval has been
determined and the meniscus evaluated, reading a
graduated cylinder is a matter of attention to details.
Looking straight at and level with the center of the
meniscus, read the numbered line below the meniscus.
Add the incremental measurements up to the last mark
below the meniscus. If the center of the meniscus is not
aligned with a premarked gradation, estimate the
amount of additional liquid above the line.
 For example, suppose the amount of liquid measured in the
graduated cylinder lies about one-third of the way between the third
and fourth intervals between the 60 ml and 70 ml marks. There are,
counting up from the 60 ml mark, 10 intermediate marks. Dividing the
interval (70 – 60 = 10) by the number of increments (10) shows that
each intermediate mark equals 1 ml because 10 ÷ 10 = 1.0 ml.

Adding the measurements therefore gives 60 ml plus 3 ml plus

the approximately one-third ml, or 60 + 3 + 0.3 = 63.3 ml of liquid in
the graduated cylinder.