Final answer:
The volume of a graduated cylinder is its total capacity, which is 25 mL, not the volume of liquid it contains. The 11.5 mL measurement denotes the amount of water in the cylinder, which is read at the meniscus's lowest point.
Step-by-step explanation:
The volume of a 25-mL graduated cylinder filled with 11.5mL of water remains 25 mL. This is because the volume of the graduated cylinder itself does not change regardless of how much liquid is inside it. To measure the volume of the liquid, referring to Figure 1.26, one must observe the bottom of the meniscus, a curved surface of the liquid in the cylinder. For accuracy, the volume reading should be taken at eye level where the meniscus appears lowest and then the divisions on the cylinder can be used to estimate the measurement to the nearest tenth of a milliliter. The graduated cylinder is a tool used in various scientific experiments and measurements where precision is critical.