2006-06-19 12:16:14 · 7 answers · asked by Margarette C 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
there is a curve in the surface of the liquid, (known as the meniscus) sometimes positive, sometimes negative, which is best seen at eye level, to compare it with the mark on the graduated cylinder. The center of this meniscus should be even with the mark.
2006-06-19 12:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Hal H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meniscus doesn't matter if it's eye level or not. You're cylinder has a certain thickess. If you view it at an angle the markings on the outside won't correspond to the height on the inside. (refraction also makes an error but the main one is the thickness). Try looking at a clock from the side at 12oclock it will look like 12:02 or 11:58 depending on which side you are on. At 12:15 it will look like 12:15 because the minute hand is pointing parrallel to the direction you are looking. Similar with liquid, if you are looking parrallel to the surface (i.e. at eye level) there won't be an error.
If you get a cylinder with markings on the inside surface then you don't have to worry about this at all; you can look from whichever angle you wan't.
2006-06-19 12:31:26 · answer #2 · answered by Paul C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So that you can get an accurate measurement. Try it out. Get a measuring cup, and put some water in it. Read the measurement while looking from above. Then measure looking from below. Finally, get eye-level. Are all 3 measurements identical? No. The most accurate one is the one taken from eye level. There are plenty of reasons for this, but that's another lesson.
2006-06-19 12:22:31 · answer #3 · answered by KansasSpice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because you dont want to have ur measurment be effected by the meniscus( i dont know how to spell it but it looks like that) which is when the water or liquird curves up on the sides of the container and dips in the middle (making the water look bent on top) you want to measure the lowest part when looking at it eye level.
2006-06-19 12:21:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you could misjudge the liquid, depending on it's adherance to the walls. It has to be mesured at the center part of the bubble (either lowest or highest).
2006-06-19 12:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by LUIS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so the angle of the refraction of the light passing through the water won't give you a wrong reading.
2006-06-19 12:20:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it will appear to be more than it really is otherwise
2006-06-19 12:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋