Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 46%

Which of the following is the best procedure for measuring liquid in a graduated cylinder?

Rationale

Place the cylinder on a level surface and read the top of the meniscus at eye level.

This method ensures accuracy in measuring the volume of the liquid as it corrects for both the meniscus's curvature and potential parallax errors when observing the liquid level.

A (Place the cylinder on a level surface and read the top of the meniscus at eye level) CORRECT

This procedure is the correct technique for measuring liquid volume in a graduated cylinder because it eliminates parallax errors and accounts for the meniscus's curvature, providing an accurate reading.

B (Hold the cylinder at eye level and read the bottom of the meniscus) YOUR ANSWER

Reading the bottom of the meniscus from eye level can introduce parallax errors due to the angle of observation, leading to inaccuracies in volume measurement.

C (Hold the cylinder at eye level and read the top of the meniscus) YOUR ANSWER

Observing the meniscus from eye level while holding the cylinder can introduce parallax errors and may not provide a level perspective necessary for precise volume measurement.

D (Place the cylinder on a level surface and read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level) YOUR ANSWER

Reading the bottom of the meniscus while the cylinder is on a level surface can lead to misinterpretation due to the meniscus's curvature, making it an inaccurate method for measuring liquid volume.

Conclusion

The most reliable procedure for measuring liquid in a graduated cylinder involves placing the cylinder on a level surface to ensure stability and accuracy, then reading the meniscus's top at eye level. This method accounts for both the curvature of the liquid surface and potential errors caused by viewing angles, resulting in a precise volume measurement.

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