Question

Which would you most likely use to measure 10 mL of water to be the most accurate?

a) 10 mL Graduated Cylinder

b) 10 mL Beaker

c) 10 mL Erlenmeyer Flask

d) 10 mL Pipette

Answer 1

The most accurate tool to measure 10 mL of water among the listed options is the 10 mL pipette, due to its ability to provide measurements to the nearest 0.01 mL.

Step-by-step explanation:

To measure 10 mL of water accurately, using the appropriate laboratory tool is crucial. The best option from the provided list would be the 10 mL pipette, as pipettes are specifically designed for measuring and transferring small volumes of liquids with high precision. A pipette typically permits volume measurements to the nearest 0.01 mL, which makes it the most accurate tool for the task compared to a graduated cylinder, beaker, or Erlenmeyer flask. While a graduated cylinder can measure milliliters and is a common tool in the lab for such purposes, a pipette exceeds it in accuracy for small volumes.

In the context of laboratory measurements, it's important to also consider proper technique. For example, when reading the volume on a graduated cylinder or pipette, you should observe the bottom of the meniscus, which is the curved surface of the water, and make an estimate to the nearest 0.1 mL or better, depending on the tool used.