C-TEACH Academy: Using Volumetric Pipettes Laboratory Experiment

This 9-page professional development activity, provided by Cape Fear Community College, introduces STEM instructors to the proper use of volumetric pipettes (or pipets). The laboratory procedure provides background on the use, parts, and setup of a volumetric pipette, an introductory problem, instructions for the lab, and lab questions. In the first part of the activity, participants will deliver various amounts of water into a container using a volumetric pipette, aiming to deliver the exact amount of liquid specified. In the second part, participants will use volumetric pipettes make solutions containing water and copper sulfate pentahydrate to generate a calibration curve on an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer. Additionally, a spreadsheet is included, allowing an instructor to input the participant's laboratory data to determine if their tolerance meets industry and glassware standards.