Graduated Cylinders: Say Goodbye To Wrong Calibration
In order to succeed in laboratory experiments, precision must always be maintained. The right tools and instruments can make the entire activity more accurate and thus more successful. This is the reason why graduated cylinders are becoming more in demand.
Many students in school laboratories make the mistake of using mere cylindrical objects to measure certain chemicals and substances. Beakers and flasks are certainly not the right tools to measure liquid substances that will be used for an experiment. However, because of their design, graduated cylinders are more accurate in terms of measurement. These cylinders are very handy and at the same time very accurate. You can now measure the quantity of chemical which come in very small amounts.
This tool will only be accurate if and only if you know how to properly use it. First and foremost, always remember to completely empty the cylinder. The cylinder is most accurate when the results and measurements are read at eye level, not below or above the eye. Looking down at it from a standing position can cause the person using the cylinder to misread the measurement. You can simple add and subtract 0.05 in the result to achieve better result.
People think that graduated cylinders are very fragile. But the truth is these cylinders are made from stronger materials and not just pure glass. If fact, some cylinder are made from plastic. Many people prefer plastic cylinders because they are more handy and less likely to break. Did you know that there are more options other than plastic and glass? Polypropylene is also widely used today in graduated cylinders because it is stronger and lighter. It also tends to be resistant to many chemicals. Polymethylpentene is another material that graduated cylinders are often made out of. These lightweight and strong materials are already widely used today. These materials are essentially as clear as the glass made graduated cylinders.
Graduated cylinders have a variety of bases, which makes them easier to use in the laboratory environment. The body of the cylinder is essentially glass material, while its base is rubber most of the time. Say goodbye to tipped and spilled chemical because the base of graduated cylinders make them very firm. Bases of less expensive graduated cylinders may be made of plastic.
You are allowed to choose from different sizes. Most commonly, they are found in 10 mL, 25 mL, and 100 mL. If you want to be more accurate in measure, then use small cylinders as they can detect smaller changes better. For measuring larger volumes, they can be found up to 1000 mL in volume. If larger cylinders are not really needed, then don't buy one. Larger cylinders are more expensive that is why it is important for you to know whether you really need them or not.
Find more about graduated cylinders and other lab equipment on Novatech International.
Published March 16th, 2011