"A characteristic of liquids in glass containers is that they curve at the edges. This curvature is called the meniscus. You measure the level at the horizontal center or inside part of the meniscus. With water in glass, the meniscus will curve up at the edges and down in the center so we say you read the bottom of the meniscus."
	When measuring liquid volume it is important to read the graduated cylinder correctly. You eye should be level with the top of the liquid and you should read the bottom of the meniscus.
You would read this as 18mL and not 18.5 mL.	How may mL is showing in this graduated cylinder? Check your answer with the self test.
	"In some plastic cylinders water has a flat surface. In that case top or bottom doesn't matter, but we can still say use the center rather than the edges."
	You can also get a meniscus that rises up instead of dipping down at the surface.
This is an example that shows how a meniscus can rise up instead of going down.	There is also another type of meniscus found in your knee. Don't be confused by the other meaning of meniscus.
Back to Morrison Labs	Back to the Main Menu