Final answer:
The thickest part measurement should be made at the point where the object is the densest or has its greatest dimension. In volume measurements like those of liquids, the bottom of the meniscus is the correct place to read. For quality testing, such as coating thickness, nondestructive measurement methods are preferred over destructive methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thickest part measurement should be made where it provides the most accurate representation of the object in question. This is typically at the point where the object has the greatest dimension in the context that is being measured. For instance, when measuring a pot, the thickest part would be at the shoulder, near its widest point, where the handles meet the body. If the object being measured is a layer, such as in the case of a Play-Doh core, the measurement should start with the uppermost layer and continue through each successive layer. In the case of liquid measurement in a graduated cylinder, the correct reading is at the bottom of the meniscus. For items such as frying pans with a nonstick coating or other materials where uniformity is essential, nondestructive testing methods, like using an ultrasonic transducer, can provide the necessary measurements without damaging the product.
Measurements should always be reported to the highest degree of accuracy that the measuring tool allows. With a ruler that has no millimeter markings, for example, the measurement should be estimated to the nearest tenth of a centimeter. If the ruler has millimeter markings, the measurement can be more precise. It is not reasonable to report a measurement to a finer degree of precision than the measuring tool allows. In health measurements like body fat percentage using the skin-fold test, a health professional uses a caliper to measure and compare against standards.
When measuring an object, accuracy is key, and taking multiple measurements can ensure that the reported measurement is close to the true value. For example, taking several measurements around 11 inches that are close to each other indicates higher accuracy than a measurement that stands out as significantly different, like 12 inches.