2014-30936 Date Due: 14 August 2015

2014-04063 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-
2011-2012/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
1mol CuS O 4 1 L solution
× × 4 mL solution=0.004 mol CuS O 4 ÷ 0.01 L solution=0.4 M CuS O4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution

Trial 2
0.4 mol CuS O 4 1 L solution
× × 4 mL solution=0.0016 mol CuS O 4 ÷0.01 L solution=0.16 M CuSO 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution
Trial 3
0.04 mol CuS O 4 1 L solution
× × 4 mL solution=0.00064 mol CuS O 4 ÷ 0.01 L solution=0.064 M CuS O 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution

Trial 4
0.004 mol CuS O 4 1 L solution
× × 4 mL solution=0.000256 mol CuSO 4 ÷ 0.01 L solution=0.0256 M CuS O 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution

Trial 5
0.0004 mol CuS O 4 1 L solution
× × 4 mL solution=0.001024 mol CuS O 4 ÷ 0.01 L solution=0.01024 M CuS O 4
1 L solution 1000 mL solution