Advantages of a Burette vs. Measuring Cylinder

In summary, a burette is preferred over a measuring cylinder for precise volume measurements, especially in titrations. A graduated cylinder is best for larger volumes with fair accuracy, while a pasteur pipette is useful for quickly transferring small amounts of material. For proper dilutions, a volumetric flask is recommended and for titrations, a burette should be used. The choice between these instruments depends on the specific task at hand.
  • #1
ruby_duby
46
0
Can anybody tell me why it is better to use a burette rather than a measuring cylinder.
 
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  • #2
A burette? The best thing to use is a pasteur pipette, you mean for the simple measurement of volume?

It is all about standard error in measurement, in some books they actually give those errors for different types of materials.
 
  • #3
The burette is better for delivering a precise amount of volume, it's best for titrations. A graduated cylinder is good for delivering a large amount of liquid (~1mL to 1L) with only a fair degree of accuracy. A pasteur pipet is good for quickly transfering a small amount of material, at the milliliter to micro liter range.
 
  • #4
Those large pipets usually go up to a volume of 50 ml, it is accurate up to 0.5 ml, maybe a little more, better than a measuring cylinder.

Making a proper dilution you would actually do in a.. what's it called in english.. volumetric flask (according to the dictionary), where you put in liquid up to a line, where the bottom of the minuscus (sp?) touches that line.

For a titration you use a burette.

For a dilution where exact concentration doesn't matter, a measuring cylinder.

It all depends on what you want to do!
 
  • #5
For Coloured ones u use upper meniscus
 

1. What is the main advantage of using a burette over a measuring cylinder?

The main advantage of using a burette is its high level of accuracy and precision in measuring small volumes of liquid. This is due to the burette's narrow, calibrated tube and stopcock, which allows for more precise control of volume measurements.

2. Can a measuring cylinder be used for titrations instead of a burette?

While a measuring cylinder can technically be used for titrations, it is not recommended due to its larger volume increments and less precise control of liquid flow. The use of a burette is preferred for its higher level of accuracy in titrations.

3. Are there any other advantages of using a burette over a measuring cylinder?

Aside from its precision and accuracy, another advantage of using a burette is that it allows for easy and controlled addition of reagents to a solution. This is especially important in experiments where the volume of reagent added must be carefully monitored.

4. Is a burette more expensive than a measuring cylinder?

In general, burettes tend to be more expensive than measuring cylinders due to their specialized design and higher level of precision. However, the cost can vary depending on the brand and quality of the instrument.

5. Can a burette and a measuring cylinder be used interchangeably?

No, a burette and a measuring cylinder serve different purposes and cannot be used interchangeably. Burettes are specifically designed for accurate volume measurements, while measuring cylinders are better suited for rough estimates of volume.

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