Determining the Accuracy of Varieties of Pipettes by Weighing and Finding the Density of a Liquid
Determining the accuracy of varieties of pipettes by weighing and finding the density of a liquid
Abstract
Different varieties of pipettes (P100, PR1000 pipettors and a serological pipette) along with a weighing balance was used in this investigation to check the density of an unknown liquid by first finding out what the liquid weighed and plotting a graph of the mass in grams against the volume of the liquid used in micro litres (µl) and finding the gradient of the graph (∆Y/∆X). Most of the standard deviation values were small showing that they were very close to the mean (average) hence more precise readings were obtained. The results from the graph also showed that the density of the unknown liquid A and B was denser that water and that is because it contains other dissolved substances which increased the overall weight.
Introduction
Pipetting requires a lot of skill to acquire precision and accuracy. For example the pipette tip must be pre-wet about three times before it is dipped into the solution [1] because dry and pre-wet pipette tips reveal greatest discrepancies. Dry pipette tips consistently deliver significantly lower volumes than did the pre-wet tips [2-6]. This can influence the readings showing on the balance as lower volumes will record lower mass and higher volume will record a higher mass which will in turn affect the density which will be measured making the results of the investigation incorrect. Using the right pipette for the right volume increases its accuracy for example using a PR1000 to pipette out 50 µl of a solution will be less accurate than using a P100 to pipette out 50 µl of a solution.
Methodology
Apparatus: P100 pipettor, PR1000 pipettor, serological pipette, pipette aid, weighing balance, weighing boat, sample solutions (pure water and an unknown solution).
Procedure
The serological pipette sucks liquid via the pipette aid. It was first used alongside the PR1000 set to a 100 to pipette out 1000 µl volume of
Abstract
Different varieties of pipettes (P100, PR1000 pipettors and a serological pipette) along with a weighing balance was used in this investigation to check the density of an unknown liquid by first finding out what the liquid weighed and plotting a graph of the mass in grams against the volume of the liquid used in micro litres (µl) and finding the gradient of the graph (∆Y/∆X). Most of the standard deviation values were small showing that they were very close to the mean (average) hence more precise readings were obtained. The results from the graph also showed that the density of the unknown liquid A and B was denser that water and that is because it contains other dissolved substances which increased the overall weight.
Introduction
Pipetting requires a lot of skill to acquire precision and accuracy. For example the pipette tip must be pre-wet about three times before it is dipped into the solution [1] because dry and pre-wet pipette tips reveal greatest discrepancies. Dry pipette tips consistently deliver significantly lower volumes than did the pre-wet tips [2-6]. This can influence the readings showing on the balance as lower volumes will record lower mass and higher volume will record a higher mass which will in turn affect the density which will be measured making the results of the investigation incorrect. Using the right pipette for the right volume increases its accuracy for example using a PR1000 to pipette out 50 µl of a solution will be less accurate than using a P100 to pipette out 50 µl of a solution.
Methodology
Apparatus: P100 pipettor, PR1000 pipettor, serological pipette, pipette aid, weighing balance, weighing boat, sample solutions (pure water and an unknown solution).
Procedure
The serological pipette sucks liquid via the pipette aid. It was first used alongside the PR1000 set to a 100 to pipette out 1000 µl volume of
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