Name _____________________________________ Date ___________ Per ______
USING A GRADUATED CYLINDER
A graduated cylinder can be used to measure volume. Volume is the amount of
space an object occupies. Graduated cylinders come in different sizes and shapes.
The surface of water or a water solution in a glass cylinder forms a concave surface.
This curved surface is called the meniscus. To obtain a precise volume reading, you
must view the meniscus at eye level. Make sure the cylinder is on a
level surface while viewing the meniscus. Always read the volume at
the bottom point of the meniscus.
To gain experience, read the volumes of liquid in the graduated
cylinders shown in the diagrams below. If the meniscus is
between lines, estimate and use decimals for a more accurate
measurement. (Don’t forget the units!)
a.____________
b.___________
c.___________
d.____________
Draw in the meniscus for the following readings:
49.21 mL
18.2 mL
27.65 mL
63.8 mL
A beaker is also a tool that can be used to measure volume.
1. Using a 150 mL beaker measure 25 mL of water. Pour the water from the beaker into your
graduated cylinder. Record the actual volume __________________
How close was your estimate to the actual amount? How far off was your estimate to the actual
amount?
2. How would you compare the accuracy of using a graduated cylinder and a beaker when
measuring volume?
Finding the volume of irregular shaped objects can be measured by using
the water displacement method.
3. Use the water displacement method to measure the volume of an object.
* Fill your graduated cylinder with 20 mL of water.
* Carefully place the object you received from your teacher into the 20 mL
of water.
* Record the new level of the water. _______________
*The difference between your new level and the 20 mL you started with is
the volume of the object. What is the volume of the object? _____________
Name _____________________________________ Date ___________ Per ______
Further Exploration
1.Find the mass of 10 mL of water:



Find the mass of a 50 mL graduated cylinder and record your answer below.
Measure 10 mL of water into the graduated cylinder and find the mass of both and
record below.
What is the mass of the water alone? Record the amount below.
Mass of a graduated cylinder ____________
Mass of a graduated cylinder + 10 mL of water _____________
Mass of 10 mL of water _____________
mass of 10 mL water + mass of graduated cylinder
-
mass of graduated cylinder
_________________________________________________
mass of 10 mL of water
2. Use the same method as question #1 to find the following:
Mass of graduated cylinder + 20 mL of water _____________
Mass of 20 mL of water _____________
Mass of graduated cylinder + 30 mL of water _____________
Mass of 30 mL of water _____________
3. Using your data from question #1 and #2, explain what the relationship is between the mass
of water and the volume of water? As the mass increases, what happens to the mass?
Follow Up Questions
Name _____________________
Date ___________ Per _______
1. A graduated cylinder measures the _________________ of an object.
2. Define volume.
3. When recording the volume of a liquid, what units are used?
4. Always read the graduated cylinder from the bottom of the bubble. What is this
called?
5. What method is being used below to determine the volume of a solid?