Measuring cylinder,types, uses,precuations

What is measuring cylinder?

Measuring cylinder is made of?

Graduated cylinders can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common and traditional material is glass. Glass graduated cylinders are valued for their clarity, chemical resistance and durability. They simplify the visualization of the measured liquid and are suitable for a wide range of laboratory applications.

The choice of graduated cylinder material depends on the specific requirements of the experiment or application. Glass cylinders are most commonly used in standard laboratory settings, while plastic cylinders may be preferred in certain situations where safety or convenience is a priority.

MATERIAL USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE CYLINDERS:

A graduated cylinder is a common and necessary measuring instrument used in the laboratory, mainly made of glass and plastic. Large graduated cylinders are usually made of polypropylene, which is highly resistant to chemicals, or polymethylpentene, which is transparent and lighter than glass.

Graduated glass cylinder -
Common types of glass for measuring cylinders are quartz glass and borosilicate glass. It is used to make cooking utensils, laboratory instruments, metal welding, sealing glass and other products due to its high temperature and chemical resistance.

Plastic cylinder with scale -
A polypropylene (PP) graduated cylinder can also be used in the kitchen to measure water or other liquids since its sole purpose is to quantitatively measure the volume of a liquid.

DESIGN AND VOLUME OF THE CYLINDER GROUP:

Graduated Cylinder Structure:

The graduated cylinder has a long cylindrical shape with a neck on one side for easy reset. The bottom has wide legs for stability. The volume range is engraved on the graduated wall of the cylinder for the user to read the volume. The maximum measured volume varies from a few milliliters to a few litres. The scales are marked on the wall of the graduated cylinder from bottom to top. When observing measurements, the user must keep sight of the lowest point of the liquid surface (or the highest point of the liquid surface).

The traditional graduated cylinder is usually narrow and tall to increase the precision and accuracy of volume measurement. It has a plastic or glass base (stand, leg or holder) and a "spout" for easy pouring of liquid. There is also another range that is wide and low.

Graduated Cylinder Capacity:

Mixing cylinders have ground glass connections instead of spouts, allowing them to connect or connect directly to other head elements. The liquid to be dosed is not poured directly from this type of cylinder, but is often withdrawn through a cannula. The graduated cylinder is designed to take measurements with the liquid surface at eye level, while the measurement line must be visible in the center of the meniscus. Wait 1-2 minutes after injecting fluid to allow the adhesive fluid to flow down the inner wall before reading the dial. Otherwise, the value read will be lower than the actual value. The volume of a cylinder is measured in milliliters. Graduated cylinders usually have a capacity of 10 to 2000 ml.

The graduation/scale on the outer wall is in milliliters, with a 10 ml graduated cylinder corresponding to 0.2 ml on the small scale and a 50 ml graduated cylinder corresponding to 1 ml on the small scale. It can be seen that the larger the cylinder, the thicker the diameter of the tube, the lower the accuracy and the greater the reading error caused by the deviation of the line of sight. Therefore, in the experiment, try to use the smallest graduated cylinder that can be measured at the same time according to the volume of liquid extracted. Errors can occur even with a partial measurement. To measure 70 ml of liquid, use a 100 ml measuring cylinder.

How to use?

To use a graduated cylinder, you usually hold it upright and pour liquid into the cylinder until you reach the desired volume.The volume is read at the bottom of the meniscus, the curved surface of a liquid caused by surface tension.It is important to read the readings at eye level to minimize parallax errors.Graduated cylinders come in a variety of sizes, from small volumes such as 10ml or 25ml for accurate measurements to larger volumes such as 100ml, 250ml, 500ml or even 1000ml for larger volumes.Be aware that graduated cylinders have accuracy limitations.They are more suitable for measuring estimated volumes than for high precision measuring.For more accurate measurements, other laboratory equipment such as burettes or pipettes can be used.

Application:

Here are some of the main uses of a graduated cylinder:

Volume Measurement:

The primary purpose of a graduated cylinder is to accurately measure the volume of a liquid. This allows scientists, researchers and students to quantify a fluid sample with relatively high accuracy. This is especially useful when handling small to medium amounts of liquids.

Experimental Procedures:

Graduated cylinders are important tools in various scientific experiments, especially in chemistry and biology. They are used to accurately measure the volumes of reagents or solutions required for a given experiment. This ensures that the experiment is performed with the right amount of substances, leading to reliable and reproducible results.

Titration:

In analytical chemistry, titration is a commonly used method to determine the concentration of a substance in a solution. Graduated cylinders are used for the accurate measurement and dosing of the solutions involved in the titration process. They provide precise control of the volume added, ensuring accurate titration results.

Dilution:

Graduated cylinders are essential for preparing dilution solutions. Dilution is the process of lowering the concentration of a solute in a solution by adding a solvent. Using a graduated cylinder, scientists can add the correct amounts of solute and solvent to achieve exactly the desired concentration.

Transferring Liquids:

Graduated cylinders can also be used to transfer liquids between containers. Their narrow shape and precise volume markings make them suitable for pouring liquids into other vessels with controlled accuracy. This is especially important when working with sensitive or expensive reagents that need to be dosed accurately.

Educational Purposes:

Graduated cylinders are commonly used in educational settings such as schools and colleges to teach students about volume measurements and the principles of precision and accuracy in scientific experiments. They offer hands-on experience in making measurements and calculations.

It is important to note that graduated cylinders have limitations in terms of accuracy, especially when working with small volumes. For more accurate measurements, other instruments such as burettes or pipettes can be used.

Precuations while using a measuring/Graduated cylinder:    

When using a graduated cylinder, a common laboratory glassware used to measure volumes of liquid, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure measurement accuracy and safety. Here are some precautions to keep in mind:

Clean and dry the measuring cylinder:

Before using a graduated cylinder, make sure it is clean and free of any residue or substance that could affect readings. Rinse with distilled water and dry thoroughly.

Correct use:

Handle the graduated cylinder with care so that it does not break. Keep it close to the base or use a stand if necessary. Do not apply excessive force or knock the cylinder against other objects.

Place the cylinder on a stable surface:

Place the graduated cylinder on a flat and stable surface to prevent accidental tipping or splashing.

Reading at eye level:

When measuring volume, make sure your eye is level with the meniscus, the curved surface of the fluid in the cylinder. This will help you get a more accurate measurement.

Read the bottom of the meniscus:

The volume is read at the bottom of the meniscus, the lowest point on the curved surface of the liquid. Read the scale reading at eye level.

Use Properly Sized Cylinder:

Choose a graduated cylinder that can hold the expected volume of fluid without overflowing. Using a cylinder that is too small can leak and cause inaccurate readings.

Pouring Liquids Carefully:

Pour liquid into the cylinder slowly and carefully to avoid splashes or air bubbles that can interfere with volume measurements. If necessary, use a funnel to minimize spillage.

Avoid contact with corrosive substances:

Graduated cylinders are generally made of glass, so do not use them with corrosive or volatile substances that can damage or react with the glass.

Be mindful of the temperature:

Graduated cylinders are calibrated for specific temperatures, usually 20 degrees Celsius. When working with liquids of different temperatures, account for the expansion or contraction of the liquid and make the necessary adjustments.

Use the right accuracy:

Graduated cylinders come in different accuracy levels, such as class A or class B. Choose the right accuracy based on the accuracy needed for your experiment or measurement.

Remember, when using a graduated cylinder, always follow the specific directions provided by your technician or manufacturer.