The liquid molecules are more strongly attracted to the graduated cylinder than to each other. This causes the liquid to rise up on the sides of the graduated cylinder. Therefore it is important to read the line, even with the center of the meniscus, and at the bottom of the meniscus to accurately measure the volume of a liquid in the graduated cylinder.
If you are still a bit confused I also found some information at this website:
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrylabexperiments/qt/meniscus.htm
You should always measure at the lowest part of the meniscus. The meniscus is a slight curvature at the top of a liquid in a container.
The bubble is called a meniscus. It is caused by surface tension, and usually appears as a curved surface at the top of the liquid in the test tube. To accurately measure the volume of liquid, the measurement should be taken at the bottom of the meniscus.
The upper surface of the liquid in a graduated cylinder is called the meniscus. It appears curved due to surface tension, and the measurement should be read at the bottom of the meniscus for an accurate volume reading.
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.
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.
You should always measure at the lowest part of the meniscus. The meniscus is a slight curvature at the top of a liquid in a container.
You should always measure the volume of liquid in a graduated cylinder at the bottom of the meniscus, where the curve of the liquid meets the cylinder's surface. This ensures an accurate reading of the volume contained in the cylinder.
The bubble is called a meniscus. It is caused by surface tension, and usually appears as a curved surface at the top of the liquid in the test tube. To accurately measure the volume of liquid, the measurement should be taken at the bottom of the meniscus.
This is called the meniscus. It occurs because of surface tension between the liquid and the walls of the thermometer. When measuring water, you should read the temperature at the bottom of the meniscus for an accurate measurement.
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.
The upper surface of the liquid in a graduated cylinder is called the meniscus. It appears curved due to surface tension, and the measurement should be read at the bottom of the meniscus for an accurate volume reading.
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.
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.
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.
When you read a scale on the side of a container with a meniscus, such as a graduated cylinder or volumetric flask, it's important that the measurement accounts for the ... For mercury, take the measurement from the top of the meniscus. ...
As the diameter of the container decreases, the meniscus becomes more pronounced. The meniscus may be convex (curving upward) or concave (curving downward). Most of the time you will find that the meniscus is concave. The most notable exception is the meniscus that forms from mercury. When taking measurement readings it is important that the reading is done properly. The following rules must be adhered to: I. Read the meniscus at eye level. Do not read the meniscus from above or below eye level. Significant measurement errors may occur II. Read the bottom of a concave meniscus and the top of a convex meniscus.
The student should pour and measure the liquid carefully until the meniscus reaches the 12.5 mL mark on the graduated cylinder. The volume is read at the bottom of the concave curve of the liquid.