Final answer:
A 10 mL graduated cylinder offers greater precision than a 100 mL graduated cylinder due to finer subdivisions on the scale, allowing for more precise measurements to the nearest tenth of a milliliter. The smaller divisions in a 10 mL cylinder make it possible to make more precise estimations compared to a larger scale 100 mL cylinder.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the precision of graduated cylinders, a 10 mL graduated cylinder generally offers greater precision than a 100 mL graduated cylinder. This is because on smaller scale devices, the subdivisions are finer, allowing for more precise measurements. As described in the given references, when the meniscus lies between two markings, such as between 21 and 22 mL, you must estimate to the nearest tenth of a milliliter, hence the measurement might be 21.6 mL with the digits 2 and 1 being certain and the 6 being an estimate. This illustrates that usually a graduated cylinder will permit measurements to one-tenth of the smallest scale division, and since a 10 mL cylinder has smaller divisions than a 100 mL cylinder, it allows for more precise estimations.
In a 100 mL graduated cylinder, the divisions represent a larger volume, so estimating to the nearest 0.1 mL is less precise. The precision of measurement is thus inherently linked to the scale of the measuring device. In practice, graduated cylinders are chosen based on the volume of liquid being measured, ensuring that the most precise device is used for the task at hand.