miniscus
The lowest part. The highest part is hard to determine. At the bottom, ie the lowest point.
The meniscus is a curve in the surface of a liquid that is caused by surface tension and by the attraction between the liquid and the sides of the container. The bottom of the meniscus represents the most accurate measurement because the lines of a graduated cylinder are in the middle of the graduated cylinder.
Since the surface of water rises up to the sides of the cylinder, the low point is in the center of the surface. (Volume is assumed unless boiling or melting points are stated)
When measuring volume in a graduated cylinder, you should use the bottom of the meniscus. The meniscus is the curved surface of the liquid, and the bottom point of this curve provides the most accurate reading. Always ensure your eye is level with the meniscus to avoid parallax errors.
The meniscus. Make sure to always measure at that point. If your graduated cylinder/pipet/etc has the meniscus at 10 mL then the glassware has 10 mL in it.
a meniscus
When reading the meniscus in a graduated cylinder, you should ensure your eye level is parallel to the liquid level. The bottom of the curve of the liquid surface is the correct level to record. The meniscus is the curved surface due to water molecules sticking to the cylinder walls. Take the reading at the lowest point of the curve.
The meniscus of a liquid is read at the bottom of the curve that forms at the liquid's surface in a graduated cylinder or a similar container. To determine the volume of the liquid accurately, it is important to read the measurement at the lowest point of the meniscus.
When measuring volume in a graduated cylinder, you should read the level at the bottom of the meniscus, which is the curved surface of the liquid. Make sure your eye is level with the meniscus to avoid parallax error. The measurement should be taken at the lowest point of the curve for an accurate reading.
The answer depends on the liquid, or more specifically, how the surface tension in the liquid affects the meniscus. It should be the top of the meniscus for liquids such as mercury but the bottom for liquids such as water or alcohol.
Start by looking at the graduated markings on the cylinder, which are typically evenly spaced. Identify the smallest division or increment between two markings. Count how many of these increments fit between the starting point (usually the bottom) and the liquid level, and multiply by the value of each increment to determine the volume.
The most accurate way to read a graduated cylinder is to place it on a flat surface. Bend down so you are eye level with the Meniscus Line, the line that is formed by the border between the unfilled portion of the cylinder and the top of the liquid. The very lowest part of this line is where you read the measurement. The markings are in whole numbers, 1, 2, 3, etc., with 10 lines between each number.