A meniscus must be considered when making which of the following measurements?

• A. Weighing a solid on an electronic balance
• B. Measuring the temperature with a thermometer
• C. Determining the melting point of a substance
• D. Measuring the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand what a meniscus is: it is the curve seen at the surface of a liquid in response to its container, caused by surface tension and adhesion between the liquid and container walls.
2. Recognize that the meniscus affects volume measurements because the liquid level is not flat, so reading the volume requires looking at the bottom of the meniscus at eye level to get an accurate measurement.
3. Analyze each option: weighing a solid on a balance does not involve liquids or curved surfaces, so the meniscus is irrelevant.
4. Measuring temperature with a thermometer involves reading a scale, not a liquid surface level, so the meniscus does not affect this measurement.
5. Determining melting point involves observing phase change, not measuring liquid volume, so the meniscus is not a factor here; therefore, the meniscus must be considered only when measuring the volume of a liquid in a graduated cylinder.