Measuring cylinders are commonly used laboratory glassware that is designed to measure the volume of liquids. They are typically made of glass or plastic and come in various sizes, ranging from 10 mL to 2000 mL or more. Measuring cylinders have a narrow cylindrical shape, with a base that is wider than the top, allowing for stability when placed on a flat surface.
The design of a measuring cylinder allows for accurate measurement of liquid volumes, as they feature graduated marks or lines along the side of the cylinder that indicate the volume of liquid inside. These marks are typically in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc).
Measuring cylinders are used in a variety of laboratory applications, including the measurement of liquids for experiments, preparing solutions of a specific volume, and measuring the volume of a liquid that has been transferred from one container to another.
To use a measuring cylinder, the cylinder is placed on a flat surface and the liquid is poured into the cylinder up to the desired level. The volume of liquid can then be read from the graduated marks on the side of the cylinder, by taking the measurement from the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid at the top) to the nearest graduated line.
Measuring cylinders should be handled with care to avoid breakage or chipping, and should be cleaned and stored properly to ensure accuracy in future measurements.