Final answer:
It is likely a typo in the question, but in general, when the dial on a measuring device moves, it indicates a change in volume. In the context of a graduated cylinder, one estimates the volume by noting where the meniscus falls in relation to the scale's markings, with certain digits and one estimated digit. Understanding significant figures helps to interpret which zeros are significant or placeholders.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you observe that the 0.1m3 dial moves during a dial test, it indicates a volume change in the graduated cylinder measurement of 0.1 cubic meters (which is quite large for a lab setting and seems incorrect; we commonly use milliliters or mL in lab measurements). In the given context, understanding significant figures and estimation is essential. According to LibreTexts, when you read a measurement from a device such as a graduated cylinder, you will find certain digits that are known with certainty based on the scale, and an estimated digit based on the meniscus' position. For instance, if the bottom of the meniscus lies between the 21 and 22 mL marks, the liquid volume is more than 21 mL but less than 22 mL. If it's closer to the 22-mL mark, you might estimate the volume to be 21.6 mL. In this case, '2' and '1' are certain, while '6' is an estimate.
Furthermore, significant figures come into play when considering which zeros are placeholders and which are significant. If the graduated cylinder has 1-mL divisions, volumes can be measured to the nearest 0.1 mL. For example, in a measurement of 150 mm taken with a device that has 10-mm divisions, '1' and '5' are certain and the zero at the end is a placeholder. However, if a measurement is precise to the 0.1 decimal point, the zeros following non-zero numbers are considered significant.1