Final answer:
Reading the volume from a buret or graduated cylinder involves estimating to the nearest 0.1 mL at the bottom of the meniscus. The precise volume read depends on the clarity of the meniscus and the scale of the device. Estimation is an essential part of the measurement process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When reading the volume from a buret or graduated cylinder, it is crucial to observe the bottom of the meniscus. A meniscus forms because the liquid either climbs up or dips down the wall of the cylinder due to the adhesive forces between the liquid and the container. For clear, colorless liquids such as water, the bottom of the meniscus is what should be read against the scale.
In the scenario pictured, if the bottom of the meniscus is situated between two markings, the reader must estimate the tenth-of-a-milliliter increment. In the examples provided, readers might interpret the meniscus as being closer to either of the two marks depending on their viewpoint, but one should always measure to the nearest 0.1 mL as this is the limit of precision in most cases. If the liquid level is closer to, for instance, the 22-mL mark than the 21-mL mark, they would mentally divide the space into tenths and estimate accordingly. If you can't see an actual image of the buret, in the case of a volume between 21 and 22 mL, if the meniscus appears to be halfway, the reading would be 21.5 mL, but if it's closer to the higher mark, the reading might be 21.6 mL or 21.7 mL, and so on.
Estimation is a key aspect in obtaining an accurate reading of the volume; if a buret allows for even finer measurements (e.g., to the nearest 0.01 mL as some precision burets do), the hundredths place would also be an estimate.