In which situation would a volumetric flask give a lower volume reading?

The selected answer indicates that a volumetric flask may give a lower volume reading when the flask is calibrated at a lower temperature. This is accurate because volumetric flasks are designed with precise calibrations that are specific to a particular temperature, often around 20°C.

When liquids are filled into a volumetric flask, their volume can change with temperature due to thermal expansion. If the flask is calibrated at a lower temperature, it means that at room temperature or higher, the actual volume of liquid will expand beyond the volume indicated by the markings on the flask. As a result, when measuring a liquid at a temperature higher than the calibration temperature, the reading on the flask will be lower than the true volume of the liquid, because the calibration does not account for the expansion that occurs at higher temperatures.

This understanding is crucial for accurate volumetric measurements in laboratory settings, as it emphasizes the importance of temperature management in achieving precise results. Therefore, using the volumetric flask at temperatures different from its calibration point without appropriate adjustments will lead to discrepancies in volume readings.