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Measuring the Volume of Liquids
When we measure liquids like water and milk we often use a measuring cup. Scientists use graduated cylinders to measure volume.
To read the level of water in a graduated cylinder, bend down and put your eyes at the level of the top of the water. In this picture, only Kim is reading the water level correctly. Tell why.
Water creeps up the sides of a graduated cylinder. It makes a curved surface at the top called a meniscus. The meniscus makes it look as though there are two lines on top of each other. You should always read the lower line. The lower line shows the level of the water. This cylinder shows a meniscus with a water level of 80 cc. The meniscus will be more noticeable with glass graduated cylinders than with plastic graduated cylinders.