In a laboratory environment, accuracy is absolutely essential. In order to make sure that things are as accurate as possible, it is vital that the instruments in the lab are extremely accurate. This is why most scientists and lab technicians prefer graduated cylinders.
They are, of course, cylindrical objects (sometimes called measuring cylinders), with markings denoting how much of a substance the cylinder is holding. There are other options for measuring in the lab, such as using flasks or beakers. However, because of their design, graduated cylinders are more accurate in terms of measurement. They tend to be tall and thin, rather than the bottle shape of many flasks and beakers. Therefore, even a small amount of a substance in the cylinder can be measured.
In order to take advantage of its accuracy, it must be read properly. For best results, the liquid should be emptied into the cylinder. The person using the cylinder should then look at the beaker at eye level to accurately see what the measurement registers as. Looking down at it from a standing position can cause the person using the cylinder to misread the measurement. It is typically said that the accuracy of a cylinder is +/- 0.05.
Some people are hesitant to use graduated cylinders because they are afraid the glass the cylinder is made of will accidentally break. However, measuring cylinders are made of a variety of materials beyond glass. There are graduated cylinders which are made of plastic. The clarity of the plastic is generally not as good as glass but they will not break, and it is easy to store them. Glass or plastic are not the only options in terms of materials. Polypropylene is a material commonly used in graduated cylinders, because it is lighter and more sturdy than glass. It also tends to be resistant to many chemicals. Polymethylpentene is another material that graduated cylinders are often made out of. It shares polypropylene's properties in terms of being lightweight and not easy to shatter. Additionally, it has excellent clarity, making it even more accurate in terms of measurements.
Graduated cylinders have a variety of bases, which makes them easier to use in the laboratory environment. Although the cylinder itself is typically made of glass or polypropylene, bases are generally made of rubber. This makes them very sturdy and able to stand on a laboratory table without sliding. Bases of less expensive graduated cylinders may be made of plastic.
They also come in a variety of sizes. Most commonly, they are found in 10 mL, 25 mL, and 100 mL. Generally, it is better to use the smallest cylinder possible when measuring, as smaller instruments are better at detecting small changes in the volume of liquid. For measuring larger volumes, they can be found up to 1000 mL in volume. However, before purchasing these large cylinders, the lab should determine that they do really need them. This is because the largest ones tend to be much more expensive than more standard sized cylinders.
They are, of course, cylindrical objects (sometimes called measuring cylinders), with markings denoting how much of a substance the cylinder is holding. There are other options for measuring in the lab, such as using flasks or beakers. However, because of their design, graduated cylinders are more accurate in terms of measurement. They tend to be tall and thin, rather than the bottle shape of many flasks and beakers. Therefore, even a small amount of a substance in the cylinder can be measured.
In order to take advantage of its accuracy, it must be read properly. For best results, the liquid should be emptied into the cylinder. The person using the cylinder should then look at the beaker at eye level to accurately see what the measurement registers as. Looking down at it from a standing position can cause the person using the cylinder to misread the measurement. It is typically said that the accuracy of a cylinder is +/- 0.05.
Some people are hesitant to use graduated cylinders because they are afraid the glass the cylinder is made of will accidentally break. However, measuring cylinders are made of a variety of materials beyond glass. There are graduated cylinders which are made of plastic. The clarity of the plastic is generally not as good as glass but they will not break, and it is easy to store them. Glass or plastic are not the only options in terms of materials. Polypropylene is a material commonly used in graduated cylinders, because it is lighter and more sturdy than glass. It also tends to be resistant to many chemicals. Polymethylpentene is another material that graduated cylinders are often made out of. It shares polypropylene's properties in terms of being lightweight and not easy to shatter. Additionally, it has excellent clarity, making it even more accurate in terms of measurements.
Graduated cylinders have a variety of bases, which makes them easier to use in the laboratory environment. Although the cylinder itself is typically made of glass or polypropylene, bases are generally made of rubber. This makes them very sturdy and able to stand on a laboratory table without sliding. Bases of less expensive graduated cylinders may be made of plastic.
They also come in a variety of sizes. Most commonly, they are found in 10 mL, 25 mL, and 100 mL. Generally, it is better to use the smallest cylinder possible when measuring, as smaller instruments are better at detecting small changes in the volume of liquid. For measuring larger volumes, they can be found up to 1000 mL in volume. However, before purchasing these large cylinders, the lab should determine that they do really need them. This is because the largest ones tend to be much more expensive than more standard sized cylinders.
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