Unit 2A
Biomedical Science.
CALIBRATION OF LAB EQUIPMENT
In any laboratory setting, accurate measurements are crucial for obtaining reliable and
reproducible results. One of the most important tools used for measuring small volumes of
liquids are pipettes and burettes. Pipettes are used to measure and dispense small volumes
of liquid, while burettes are used to measure and dispense larger volumes. It is essential to
calibrate these tools regularly to ensure their accuracy. In this practical I would write and
learn the method of calibrating these equipments and understand their importance in a
laboratory setting.
Calibration of electronic balance using standard weights.
Calibration of pipette.
Calibration of burette.
Calibration of volumetric flask.
Calibration of measuring cylinder.
Calibration of pH meter.
Risks Assessment for the calibration of lab equipment
Hazard Risk Precaution Treatment
Spilled Tripping down. Ensure that equipment containing Seek medical
water water are kept on flat surface and attention.
spilled water are wiped properly.
Glass wares Cut from Wear appropriate lab wears such as Get first aid and put
broken glass. lab coat, goggle, and gloves. Avoid plaster on the cut.
keeping glass on an uneven surface. Seek medical
attention.
Pipette, Breakage may Remove the burette from the retort Get first aid and put
burette occur. for filling. Plastic funnels to be used plaster on the cut.
to refill burettes. Seek medical
Carefully attach the pipette filler onto attention.
the pipette, do not apply too much
pressure as the glass can snap.
Calibration of electronic balance using standard weights
Calibrating an electronic balance ensures the reliability and repeatability of students
weighing results and maintains its accuracy. (1)
1
,Unit 2A
Biomedical Science.
Method
1. Place the electronic balance on a flat and even surface.
2. Zero the balance.
3. Add the appropriate mass onto the pan of the balance, wait for the reading.
4. Record the reading.
5. If the result is not within the appropriate mass, then the balance should be adjusted
to the value of the calibration weight.
6. Repeat 3 times and calibration is complete.
Table of results.
Trials 1 2 3
Original Mass of 30.00 30.00 30.00
weight (g)
Mass on scale (g) 30.35 30.31 30.31
Analysis of data and conclusion
The original mass and the mass recorded has a difference of 0.31-0.35g, which is less than
1g, so could be rounded down as 30g.
This means that the weighing scale is accurate and calibrated for this practical.
Calibration of burette
Calibration of burette minimizes errors in the titration by ensuring that the burette is
working properly and delivering accurate volumes of the titrant.
Method
1. Fill the burette with distilled water and check to see that no bubbles of air are
entrapped in the tip.
2. Drain water slowly until the meniscus is at the 0.00 ml mark.
3. Touch the tip of the burette to the side of a beaker to remove the drop hanging from
the tip.
4. After about a minute, to allow for drainage, make an initial reading of the meniscus,
estimating the volume to the nearest 0.01 ml.
5. Record the initial reading.
6. Allow the burette to stand for 5 minutes and check the reading.
7. Calculate the average of water lost.
2
, Unit 2A
Biomedical Science.
Table of results
Trials 1 2 3 Average
Starting volume of 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0
water (ml)
Volume of water 50.0 49.5 49.3 49.6
after 5 minutes
(ml)
Volume of water 0.00 0.50 0.70 0.40
lost.
Analysis of data and conclusion
For trial 1, the volume of water and the volume of water measured using a burette were
both the same. While trial 2 there was a difference of 0.5ml and for trial 3 there was a
difference of 0.7ml and the volume of water lost is 0.40ml which is relatively small.
Overall, the burette is accurate and can give an accurate and reliable result.
Calibration of Pipette
Calibration of pipette is important to ensure accuracy and reliability in pipette
measurements. If a pipette is inaccurate then this can result to an inaccurate result.
Method:
• Wash and dry the glass pipette and the 100cm³ beaker with distilled water.
• Carefully attach the pipette filler onto the pipette. (Do not apply too much pressure
as the glass can snap).
• Measure the temperature of the distilled water.
• Place the weighing boat on the scale and zero the scale. This subtracts the weight of
the plastic boat and allows you to measure just the weight of substance.
• Put 20ml of water into the pipette.
• Dispense the liquid into the weighing boat on the scale.
• Record the weight on the balance.
• Repeat the process 3 times. (2)
Table of results
Trials Volume of water (ml) Mass of water (g)
1. 20.00 7.52
2. 20.00 7.58
3. 20.00 8.52
3
Biomedical Science.
CALIBRATION OF LAB EQUIPMENT
In any laboratory setting, accurate measurements are crucial for obtaining reliable and
reproducible results. One of the most important tools used for measuring small volumes of
liquids are pipettes and burettes. Pipettes are used to measure and dispense small volumes
of liquid, while burettes are used to measure and dispense larger volumes. It is essential to
calibrate these tools regularly to ensure their accuracy. In this practical I would write and
learn the method of calibrating these equipments and understand their importance in a
laboratory setting.
Calibration of electronic balance using standard weights.
Calibration of pipette.
Calibration of burette.
Calibration of volumetric flask.
Calibration of measuring cylinder.
Calibration of pH meter.
Risks Assessment for the calibration of lab equipment
Hazard Risk Precaution Treatment
Spilled Tripping down. Ensure that equipment containing Seek medical
water water are kept on flat surface and attention.
spilled water are wiped properly.
Glass wares Cut from Wear appropriate lab wears such as Get first aid and put
broken glass. lab coat, goggle, and gloves. Avoid plaster on the cut.
keeping glass on an uneven surface. Seek medical
attention.
Pipette, Breakage may Remove the burette from the retort Get first aid and put
burette occur. for filling. Plastic funnels to be used plaster on the cut.
to refill burettes. Seek medical
Carefully attach the pipette filler onto attention.
the pipette, do not apply too much
pressure as the glass can snap.
Calibration of electronic balance using standard weights
Calibrating an electronic balance ensures the reliability and repeatability of students
weighing results and maintains its accuracy. (1)
1
,Unit 2A
Biomedical Science.
Method
1. Place the electronic balance on a flat and even surface.
2. Zero the balance.
3. Add the appropriate mass onto the pan of the balance, wait for the reading.
4. Record the reading.
5. If the result is not within the appropriate mass, then the balance should be adjusted
to the value of the calibration weight.
6. Repeat 3 times and calibration is complete.
Table of results.
Trials 1 2 3
Original Mass of 30.00 30.00 30.00
weight (g)
Mass on scale (g) 30.35 30.31 30.31
Analysis of data and conclusion
The original mass and the mass recorded has a difference of 0.31-0.35g, which is less than
1g, so could be rounded down as 30g.
This means that the weighing scale is accurate and calibrated for this practical.
Calibration of burette
Calibration of burette minimizes errors in the titration by ensuring that the burette is
working properly and delivering accurate volumes of the titrant.
Method
1. Fill the burette with distilled water and check to see that no bubbles of air are
entrapped in the tip.
2. Drain water slowly until the meniscus is at the 0.00 ml mark.
3. Touch the tip of the burette to the side of a beaker to remove the drop hanging from
the tip.
4. After about a minute, to allow for drainage, make an initial reading of the meniscus,
estimating the volume to the nearest 0.01 ml.
5. Record the initial reading.
6. Allow the burette to stand for 5 minutes and check the reading.
7. Calculate the average of water lost.
2
, Unit 2A
Biomedical Science.
Table of results
Trials 1 2 3 Average
Starting volume of 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0
water (ml)
Volume of water 50.0 49.5 49.3 49.6
after 5 minutes
(ml)
Volume of water 0.00 0.50 0.70 0.40
lost.
Analysis of data and conclusion
For trial 1, the volume of water and the volume of water measured using a burette were
both the same. While trial 2 there was a difference of 0.5ml and for trial 3 there was a
difference of 0.7ml and the volume of water lost is 0.40ml which is relatively small.
Overall, the burette is accurate and can give an accurate and reliable result.
Calibration of Pipette
Calibration of pipette is important to ensure accuracy and reliability in pipette
measurements. If a pipette is inaccurate then this can result to an inaccurate result.
Method:
• Wash and dry the glass pipette and the 100cm³ beaker with distilled water.
• Carefully attach the pipette filler onto the pipette. (Do not apply too much pressure
as the glass can snap).
• Measure the temperature of the distilled water.
• Place the weighing boat on the scale and zero the scale. This subtracts the weight of
the plastic boat and allows you to measure just the weight of substance.
• Put 20ml of water into the pipette.
• Dispense the liquid into the weighing boat on the scale.
• Record the weight on the balance.
• Repeat the process 3 times. (2)
Table of results
Trials Volume of water (ml) Mass of water (g)
1. 20.00 7.52
2. 20.00 7.58
3. 20.00 8.52
3
