Which quantity is a graduated cylinder designed for measuring
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: A graduated cylinder is designed for measuring volume.
Explanations):
A graduated cylinder is a common laboratory instrument used to measure the volume of liquids accurately. It is a tall, narrow, cylindrical container with measurement markings (called graduations) along its side. These graduations allow scientists, students, and technicians to determine the volume of a liquid with precision.
The primary reason graduated cylinders are preferred for volume measurement over beakers or flasks is their accuracy. Beakers and flasks are used more for mixing or storing liquids and are less precise when it comes to reading measurements. In contrast, a graduated cylinder has finer scale increments, which means it provides more exact readings.
Graduated cylinders come in different sizes—such as 10 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL, 250 mL, and 1,000 mL—to suit different volume ranges. The smaller the cylinder, the more precise the measurement it can provide, due to smaller graduation intervals.
To use a graduated cylinder correctly:
- Place it on a flat surface.
- Pour the liquid in slowly.
- Bend down so your eyes are level with the liquid.
- Read the measurement at the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid).
Accuracy is crucial in scientific experiments, and a graduated cylinder is designed to offer better control over volume measurements than other glassware. It is not used for measuring mass (which requires a balance), temperature (which requires a thermometer), or density directly (which is calculated using mass and volume).
In conclusion, a graduated cylinder is a specialized tool for measuring the volume of a liquid accurately and efficiently, making it essential in scientific, educational, and industrial settings where precise volume measurements are required.
