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Adhesion to the test tube or cohesion of the liquid molecules causes the meniscus to form.

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What is the scientific name for the curved water surface above the rim of a glass?

The curve you see on top of a liquid in a cylinder is called the meniscus and is due to the difference between the attractive force between the liquid molecules themselves and between the liquid molecules and the wall of the cylinder, as well as capillary action. When the molecules of the liquid have a greater attraction to the cylinder wall than to themselves, the meniscus is concave and the surface of the liquid curved downwards. Water drawn up a narrow glass cylinder has a concave meniscus. When the molecules of the liquid have a greater attraction to themselves than to the cylinder wall, the meniscus is convex and curves upwards. Mercury in a glass thermometer or barometer has a convex meniscus.


Why does the the meniscus in a graduated cylinder filled with water curve downward?

The meniscus in a graduated cylinder curves downward due to adhesive forces between the water molecules and the glass surface of the cylinder. This causes the water molecules at the edge of the liquid to be attracted to the glass and form a concave meniscus shape.


Why does the water curve when you put it into a graduated cylinder?

The water curves in a graduated cylinder due to a phenomenon called capillary action, which is influenced by the adhesive forces between the water molecules and the glass of the cylinder. Water molecules are attracted to the glass, causing the surface of the water to rise along the edges, creating a meniscus. This curvature is typically concave for water in glass containers. The shape of the meniscus is also affected by the balance between cohesive forces among water molecules and adhesive forces between the water and the cylinder.


How can you relate volume to a meniscus?

When measuring the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder, you read it at eye-level and at the bottom of the curve of the meniscus. This is true for water and aqueous solutions. Some "non-water" liquids do not form a meniscus in a glass cylinder. Also, water does not form a meniscus in a plastic cylinder.


How do you read meniscus on a graduated cylinder?

All liquids have a surface tension. This tension creates a meniscus or curve on the surface, most noticeable in small diameter tubes or cylinders. The meniscus of water curves up the sides of the cylinder, while heavy liquids like mercury curves down the cylinder. You should always measure light liquids at the bottom of the meniscus and heavy liquids at the top of the meniscus.

Related Questions

What liquid's meniscus curve up?

Water's meniscus curves up. Mercury's meniscus curves down.


What is a substance whose meniscus would curve downward?

Mercury's meniscus curves down. Water's meniscus curves up.


Why does water have a meniscus which curves upwards?

The Water molecules have a higher adhesion than cohesion. The would rather stick to the walls of the container than to itself. 


What is the curve at a liquid surface?

The meniscus, which is creaded by adhesion of the liquid particles to the surface of the container. Water meniscus domes upwards - the water has greater bonding to its own molecules; Mercury meniscus domes downwards.


What is the meniscus line?

A meniscus line is the little line that you have at the top of a liquid. If you fill a glass up with water, the line that seems to sit at the top of the water that you see when you look at the glass at eye level is the meniscus line.


What is the scientific name for the curved water surface above the rim of a glass?

The curve you see on top of a liquid in a cylinder is called the meniscus and is due to the difference between the attractive force between the liquid molecules themselves and between the liquid molecules and the wall of the cylinder, as well as capillary action. When the molecules of the liquid have a greater attraction to the cylinder wall than to themselves, the meniscus is concave and the surface of the liquid curved downwards. Water drawn up a narrow glass cylinder has a concave meniscus. When the molecules of the liquid have a greater attraction to themselves than to the cylinder wall, the meniscus is convex and curves upwards. Mercury in a glass thermometer or barometer has a convex meniscus.


Why doesn't soapy water bulge from the sides of a glass?

Water, as other liquids, has "surface tension" which tries to pull the water into the smallest volume. When put into a glass the surface of the water behaves as if it has a skin. However, that part around the circumference of the glass where the water touches the glass tries to climb the glass, so creating a "meniscus". If you add soap to water its surface tension is greatly reduced so it is less able to form a curved upwards meniscus where it meets the glass.


Why does the the meniscus in a graduated cylinder filled with water curve downward?

The meniscus in a graduated cylinder curves downward due to adhesive forces between the water molecules and the glass surface of the cylinder. This causes the water molecules at the edge of the liquid to be attracted to the glass and form a concave meniscus shape.


When does the meniscus of a liquid in a glass tube curve downward?

A meniscus is caused by surface tension and It curves down (concave) when the liquid adheres to the container more than to itself, like water and glass. Mercury clings more to itself than glass, so it is curved up (convex)


Why when placed in a glass tube water touching the glass is pulled slightly upward?

Meniscus. Essentially it is because water adheres to the glass.


What forces create the meniscus you see at the top of a liquid when you measure it?

The meniscus is created by adhesive forces between the glass and the water. THis means that the water water molecules are attracted to the glass so they can creep up the glass to a small degree. The water molecules are also attracted to each other through hydrogen bonding. These are called cohesive forces and they allows the water that creeps up the glass to bring other water molecules with them. The cohesive forces and adhesive forces can only resist gravity to a certain degree so in the middle the liquid curves downward.


Why does water form a meniscus when it is put into a glass beaker?

Water in a graduated cylinder form a meniscus due to attraction between the water molecules and the glass and the water being repelled by the container. If it is repelled a convex meniscus will be formed and if attracted it will result of a concave meniscus.