Rainin Pipettes – What Are They?
Students of chemistry might be familiar with pipettes and burettes. In fact, these equipments form base of inorganic chemistry analysis and are widely used in chemical industries as well. Further, they also form a part of research tools for estimating the quality of liquid product based over its chemical composition. Rainin pipettes are apt when it comes to handling alkaline as well as strong acids. The material of pipette is usually borosil glass, which shows strong inertness towards acids and most bases. Hence, they are useful for measuring volumes of all acid and base chemicals.
What do Rainin Pipettes do?
A pipette is basically a measuring instrument, which helps in measuring liquids to the accuracy of 0.5 cc. They are useful in studying pH content of samples as well as to find the solubility of liquids. Complimentary to Rainin pipettes, burette too is a measuring instrument, which measures the volume of liquid drops consumed by the sample under analysis. In fact, both pipettes and burettes play a complimentary role in analyzing liquid chemicals.
However, unlike pipette, burette has a narrow pin at its bottom, which you can open and close just like a tap. In contrast, a pipette has a narrow constriction at its mouth, which is without any tap. Further, Rainin pipettes have calibrated grooves over their cylindrical body, which is useful to measure the volume of liquid. Such calibrations provide good aid in estimating the amount of liquid that is being transferred from one container to other.
How do Rainin Pipettes Work?
Rainin pipettes work on the principle of pressure. They have marked calibration, which makes them apt for measuring volumes. It is plays a dual role, as it works like both a dropper as well as volumeter. That is, you can measure the volume of liquids as well as use it as dropper, both simultaneously. For strong acids, it is mandatory to use the rubber cork over the top to suck the portion of liquid it is immersed in. However, you can use your mouth for performing suction in case any inert of weak acids are in use. Similarly, avoid using mouth to create suction in case you are dealing with stronger bases such as NaOH or any other sodium salts.
What are Types of Pipettes?
Pipettes come in different types and calibrations depending on the nature of work and liquids involved in the study. Further, they come in different materials as well. Plastic pipettes are not ideal when dealing with strong acids. Similarly, glass pipettes are ideal for measuring volumes of strong acids such as HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4. However, glass is not apt for measuring strong bases, as bases react with glasses to produce cracks over them. On the other hand, boron-silicate glass pipettes are apt when it comes to handling strong bases as well as strong acids, since they provide appreciable amount of resistance to these chemicals. Thus, the material, and hence the cost of Rainin pipettes differ based on the requirements.
In addition, pipettes can also be classified based on their ability to measure the amount of liquids. Generally, Rainin pipettes are available in either 25 cc or 50 cc volumes. A 25 cc pipette may cost you cheaper than 50 cc pipette. However, when you are dealing with analysis of weak acids or weak bases, then 50 cc rainin pipettes are preferable.