Heather Elia

PIPETTING
ABSTRACT:
This experiment was to show that there are many different ways to pipette.
Experimenting with different pipettes is the best way to see which kind of pipette is
most accurate in what you are searching to do. The volume, temperature=density
and the standard deviation of each of the results were used in order to see what
pipette had the most accurate results when measuring 1mL of water

INTRODUCTION:
Pipetting is an essential method in lab, primarily in experiments involving liquids
and small amounts of substances. During this experiment each lab will determine
the relative accuracy of three types of pipettes by repeatedly determining the mass
of water delivered by each one.

MATERIALS:
-

15 empty test tubes

One flask of water

Pipettes: 1000uL, 5mL, 10mL

Balance

Thermometer

Water Boat

Pipette tips

METHODS:
1.) Pour water into a flask and record the temperature of the water
2.) Determine the mass of 1.0 mL of water that was dispensed from a 1000uL
pipet.
3.) Repeat 5 times and record the trials.
4.) Determine the mass of 1.0 mL of water that was dispensed from a 5mL pipet.
5.) Repeat 5 times and record the trials.
6.) Determine the mass of 1.0 mL of water that was dispensed from a 10mL
pipet.
7.) Repeat 5 times and record the trials.
8.) Use: temperature and check the chart for the density to calculate the volume
delivered.

RESULTS:
Temperature (Degrees Celsius)= 21C
Density= 0.99799 g/mL
Mass of water dispensed:
5mL Pipette
Trial
1
2
3
4
5
Mean

Mass (g)
0.87
0.89
0.88
0.89
0.90
0.886

10mL Pipette
Trial
1
2
3
4
5
Mean

Mass (g)
0.94
0.94
0.95
0.93
0.91
0.934

1000uL Pipette
Trial
1
2
3
4
5
Mean

Mass (g)
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00

Volume: V=M/D
5mL Pipette
Trials- Mass (g)
Density (g/mL)
0.87
0.99799
0.89
0.99799
0.88
0.99799
0.89
0.99799
0.90
0.99799
Average Volume:
((.871)+(.892)+(.882)+(.892)+(.902))=4.439
4.439/5= 0.8878
0.888mL
10mL Pipette
Trials- Mass (g)
Density (g/mL)
0.94
0.99799
0.94
0.99799
0.95
0.99799
0.93
0.99799
0.91
0.99799
Average Volume:
((.942)+(.942)+(.952)+(.932)+(.912))=4.68
4.68/5= 0.936
0.936mL
1000uL Pipette= 1mL
Trials- Mass (g)
Density (g/mL)
1.00
0.99799
1.00
0.99799
1.00
0.99799
1.00
0.99799
1.00
0.99799
Average Volume:
((1.002)+(1.002)+(1.002)+(1.002)+(1.002))= 5.01
5.01/5=1.002
1.002mL

Volume (V=M/D)
0.871mL
0.892mL
0.882mL
0.892mL
0.902mL

Volume (V=M/D)
0.942mL
0.942mL
0.952mL
0.932mL
0.912mL

Volume (V=M/D)
1.002mL
1.002mL
1.002mL
1.002mL
1.002mL

Standard Deviation (S= ( (-))2/(n-1))

5mL pipette:
S=
S=

((0.871-0.888)

+ (0.892-0.888)2 + (0.882-0.888)2 + (0.892-0.888)2 + (0.902-0.888)2)

(5-1)

5.2x10^-4

S= 0.0114

10mL pipette:
S=
S=

((0.942-0.936)

+ (0.942-0.936)2 + (0.952-0.936)2 + (0.932-0.936)2 + (0.912-0.936)2)

(5-1)

9.2x10^-4
4

S= 0.0151
1000uL(1mL) pipette:
S=
S=

((1.002-1.002)

+ (1.002-1.002)2 + (1.002-1.002)2 + (1.002-1.002)2 + (1.002-1.002)2)

(5-1)

S= 0.000

DISCUSSION:
Pipettes come in several designs for various purposes with differing levels of
accuracy and precision. Pipettes can be from a single piece of glass pipettes to more
complex adjustable or electronic pipettes.

You need to use the correct tip corresponding to the size of the
pipette/micropipette that you are using. Our group syringed using the pipettes
then weighed each finding on a scale. In our experiment, we syringed 1mL of water
with 5 trials each and used the 1000 micro liter pipette, 5mL, and 10mL pipette.
If you look at my results above, you will see that the results from the 1000uL were
the most accurate and precise with the experiment.
All of the results werent the same because human error could easily occur
when doing this experiment. For example, human error can occur by not placing the
micropipette in the beaker low enough to get the accurate amount of water. You
also should not use the pipette to take up liquid and lay it on its side because the
liquid will leak into the pipette and it should also be held vertically. Another way
error could occur is if youre not pumping the pipette twice to expel the water in the
boat. Also, air bubbles could easily occur when drawing water into the pipette. This
is where practice is needed in order to get the most accurate results. In conclusions
the most precise results came from the 1000uL pipette.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Professor Lisa Lucente
My group members:
Ratai Naoum
Mirela Budimir

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lecture PowerPoint slides made by Professor Lisa Lucente.
Pipetting lab experiment sheet.