Date Submitted: 14 August 2015 ACTIVITY MICROPIPETTING: TRANSFERRING MINUTE VOLUMES
Background of the Activity
Due to the ability of micropipettes to transfer minute volumes of liquid, it is an important laboratory tool throughout the course; therefore, its mastery is essential [1]. The activity aims the familiarization with the micropipette as an instrument for liquid transfer and serial dilution. Results and Discussion Serial dilution, for this activity, is performed by transferring aqueous Copper sulfate (CuSO 4) of a certain concentration in a test tube and adding water in a 2:3 ratio while maintaining the total volume at 10 mL. 6 mL of water is added to 4 mL of CuSO4 solution, resulting to a CuSO4 solution of lesser concentration. Five trials of the dilutions were done, which theoretical molarities are indicated on table 1.1. Table 1.1. Theoretical concentrations of the CuSO4 solutions Molarity of Molarity of Trial stock CuSO4 diluted CuSO4 1 1M 0.4 M 2 0.4 M 0.16 M 3 0.16 M 0.064 M 4 0.064 M 0.0256 M 5 0.0256 M 0.01024 M Dilution is the addition of more solvent to a solution; it decreases the concentration of the solution subjected to it [2]. The decrease of molarity of CuSO 4 solutions subjected to serial dilutions can be physically confirmed by the decrease in the intensity of the deep blue color, a characteristic of the aqueous CuSO 4 solution. In the activity, the decrease of concentration is confirmed due to the further lightening of the solution in consecutive dilutions. Conclusions and Recommendations The activity actualized a favorable instance: the delivery of minute volumes of liquids without sacrificing speed and volume precision. With this ability of micropipettes, experiments which need small volumes of liquid can be executed in a faster manner; considering speed is relative to the usage of measuring pipettes. References [1] Use of Micropipettes. (n.d) Retrieved 12 August 2015, from The State University of New York; Buffalo State: http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/archive-20112012/flavorfulfood.html [2] Dilution: Definition and Calculations. (n.d) Retrieved 12 August 2015, from ChemTeam: http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/Dilution.html
Appendix Trial 1
1 mol CuS O4 1 L solution
4 mL solution=0.004 mol CuS O4 0.01 L solution=0.4 M CuS O4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution
Trial 2
0.4 mol CuS O4
1 L solution
4 mL solution=0.0016 mol CuSO 4 0.01 L solution=0.16 M CuS O 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution
Trial 3
0.04 mol CuS O4
1 L solution
4 mL solution=0.00064 mol CuS O 4 0.01 L solution=0.064 M CuS O4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution
Trial 4
0.004 mol CuS O 4
1 L solution
4 mL solution=0.000256mol CuS O4 0.01 L solution=0.0256 M CuS O 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution
Trial 5
0.0004 mol CuS O4
1 L solution
4 mL solution=0.001024 mol CuS O 4 0.01 L solution=0.01024 M CuSO 4
Coordination Chemistry: Invited Lectures Presented at the 20th International Conference on Coordination Chemistry, Calcutta, India, 10-14 December 1979