The meniscus

The idea

A liquid in a measuring cylinder forms a curved surface, the meniscus; with eyes level with it, read the mark at the bottom of the meniscus for water and colourless liquids and at the top for coloured liquids.

Curved water

Water in a measuring cylinder has a curved surface.

What is this curved surface called?

• The meniscus
• The cylinder
• The volume

Read the meniscus

Open both tabs.

Where to read

Keep your eyes level with the bottom of the meniscus for water or other colourless liquids. For coloured liquids, read at the top.

The curved surface is the meniscus. Eyes level with it. Water and colourless liquids: read the bottom. Coloured liquids: read the top.

Notes

Eyes level. Colourless: read the bottom of the meniscus. Coloured: read the top.

Check yourself

The curved surface of a liquid in a measuring cylinder is called the …

For water, you read the mark at the …

For a coloured liquid, you read the mark at the …

While reading, your eyes should be …

• syphon. A meniscus is the curved surface.
• scale. The curved surface is the meniscus.
• meniscus — correct. Yes!
• bottom of the meniscus — correct. Yes!
• top of the meniscus. That is for coloured liquids.
• top of the cylinder. Read at the meniscus, not the top of the cylinder.
• bottom of the meniscus. That is for water and colourless liquids.
• top of the meniscus — correct. Yes!
• middle of the cylinder. Read at the top of the meniscus.
• above the cylinder. Keep your eyes level with the meniscus.
• far away from it. Eyes should be level with the meniscus.
• level with the meniscus — correct. Yes!