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Pipettes

This document discusses two types of pipettes used for volumetric work: volumetric pipettes and Mohr pipettes. Volumetric pipettes measure a precise volume, while Mohr pipettes allow a range of volumes to be dispensed less accurately. Both pipettes must be cleaned to avoid contamination or dispensing incorrect volumes. Pipettes can be filled using either a propipette or pipette pump by creating suction, but one should never use their mouth to draw fluid into a pipette.

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166 views

Pipettes

This document discusses two types of pipettes used for volumetric work: volumetric pipettes and Mohr pipettes. Volumetric pipettes measure a precise volume, while Mohr pipettes allow a range of volumes to be dispensed less accurately. Both pipettes must be cleaned to avoid contamination or dispensing incorrect volumes. Pipettes can be filled using either a propipette or pipette pump by creating suction, but one should never use their mouth to draw fluid into a pipette.

Uploaded by

Atik Hasan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pipettes

Figure 1

There are two kinds of pipettes used for volumetric work.


The "volumetric" or "transfer" pipette measure a
particular volume to high accuracy. (The three pipettes at
the top of Figure 1 are volumetric pipettes designed to
deliver 25, 20 and 10 mL, respectively.) Volumetric
pipettes are designed such after a fluid is dispensed, a
small drop of liquid will remain in the tip. Do not blow
this drop out! The correct volume will be dispensed from
the pipette if the tip is touched to the inside wall of the
flask and then gently given a half-twist.

The other kind of pipette, the Mohr pipette, has graduations that permit a range of volumes to be
dispensed very easily, but somewhat less accurately. (The pipette at the bottom of Figure 1 is a
10 mL Mohr pipette.) The operation of the Mohr pipette is very similar to that of the volumetric
pipette, but, in addition to setting the initial volume, the final volume must also be set by
stopping the fluid flow at the appropriate location. The volume dispensed is established by
calculating the difference, much like the case when using a burette.

Cleaning of Pipettes

Not only can a dirty pipette contaminate your sample, it can also dispense the wrong volume!
Liquid sticks to the walls of a dirty pipette, so one test for a clean pipette is to check that the
solution does not bead on the walls as it is dispensed. Unless you are being provided a new
pipette by the technician, it is a good idea to wash your pipette as outlined in the following steps:

1. Place a small volume of the solution to be pipetted into a beaker.


2. Draw the solution into the pipette using a propiette or pipette pump, and then tilt and turn
the pipette until all of the inner surfaces have been wetted by the solution.
3. Discard this washing solution as waste.
4. Repeat the previous steps again until beading is not observed on the inner walls of the
pipette.

Both the volumetric and Mohr pipettes can be filled using either a Propipette or a Pipette Pump,
as described below. WARNING: Never use your mouth to draw fluid into a pipette. There could
be serious health consequences!
The Propipette

1. Use your thumb and forefinger to press on valve


"A"and squeeze the bulb with other fingers to
produce a vacuum for aspiration. Release valve
"A" once the bulb is completely deflated.
2. Hold the pipette close to its upper end and insert
into the bottom of the propipette. (See photograph
above.) WARNING: Extreme care should be
taken not to place stress on the pipette or it may
shatter.
3. Insert the pipette into the liquid to be transferred.
Press on valve "S". Suction will draw liquid up into the pipette. Continue pressing valve
"S" until the liquid reaches the desired level. Carefully adjust the fluid level so that the
bottom of the miniscus coincides with the calibration line on the pipette.
4. Press on valve "E" to expel liquid.
5. Carefully remove the propipette (see warning in step 2.) and touch the tip of the pipette to
the inside of the receiving flask to drain the last bit of solution.

Note: Press directly on the letter A, S, or E when opening valves. Applying pressure away from
the center of these valves will damage them.

The Pipette Pump

1. Hold the pipette close to its upper end and insert into the chuck of the pump with a slight
pressure and twist. This assures a secure fit. (See photograph above.) WARNING-
Extreme care should be taken when inserting disposable glass pipettes because of the
possibility of shattering.
2. Submerge the tip of the pipette into the solution and turn the wheel with the thumb. Fluid
will be drawn up into the pipette.
3. Press on the wheel gently to hold the liquid in the pipette until you are ready to expel it.
4. To expel fluid, turn the wheel in the opposite direction.
5. To loosen the pipette, hold it near the chuck, twist slightly and pull. Touch the tip of the
pipette to the inside of the receiving flask to drain the last bit of solution.

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