READING VOLUMES
The same rules that you learned in the Who's Ruling who lab apply when you are reading different types of containers that hold liquids. Remember you can always estimate one more decimal place than what is marked on the container. Also, when reading the volume of the liquid, be sure to look for the bottom of the curve (mensicus) in the container.
Procedure Part 1: At each table you will find a number of containers with water in them. First identify the type of container. Then fill in the information in the table below for each container. Start with the SMALLEST container.
| Type of container, beaker/ graduated cylinder/Erlenmeyer flask, etc |
Total capacity | Major Scale divisions | Minor scale divisions | Volume of water in the container |
Procedure part 2:
1.) Which of the containers above do you think is the most accurate? Explain why.
2.) To test accuracy lets try the following. (You will NOT need the 10 mL graduated cylinder for this part) Place 50 ml of water in the 1000 mL beaker directly from the sink! Carefully pour this into the 100 mL graduated cylinder and read the volume. Record it in the table below. Pour out the water and repeat the procedure for the rest of your containers. Be sure to read to the correct number of digits.
| Container | Volume after poured into the 100 mL graduated cylinder. |
3.) Which of your containers was the most accurate? Explain why.
4.) Which was least accurate? Explain why.
5.) If you needed exactly 50.0 mL, which container would you use?
WHEN FINISHED, WIPE YOUR CONTAINERS DRY AND REPLACE BACK IN THE CABINETS.