What explains the result?
The curved liquid surface should be read at its bottom at eye level to reduce parallax error.
Lab skills / Graduated cylinder / Dedicated lab room
LAB SKILLS · GRADES 4–8
Read cylinder volume precisely
INVESTIGATION QUESTIONHow does eye position change a volume reading?
● ILLUSTRATIVE SCIENCE MODEL
ENGLISH CAPTIONS
Place the empty graduated cylinder upright before adding measured liquid.
0.0 / 3.0 s
Where does this matter?
Accurate volume readings matter in medicine, cooking, and chemical measurement.
What should you keep in mind?
Cylinder markings limit precision; do not report more digits than the instrument supports.
DEDICATED PRACTICE ROOM · LAB SKILLS
Read cylinder volume precisely
YOUR TASK
How does eye position change a volume reading?
READ THE BENCH CARD
Read the graduated cylinder at eye level
Estimate the liquid level from its scale. Read the bottom of the meniscus and keep your eye aligned with the mark. Cylinder markings limit precision; do not report more digits than the instrument supports.
MATERIALS / DATAGraduated cylinder · Colored water · Eye-level marker
50403020100
Read the bottom of the curve, with your eye level with the liquid.
Nearest marked line is 36 mL. Do not read from above the rim.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY
The curved liquid surface should be read at its bottom at eye level to reduce parallax error.
WHERE THIS IS USED
Accurate volume readings matter in medicine, cooking, and chemical measurement.
MODEL LIMIT Cylinder markings limit precision; do not report more digits than the instrument supports. The activities on this page do not store classroom measurements.
