Wastewater New York State Practice Exam

What is the most precise laboratory equipment for measuring liquid?

1. Graduated cylinder

2. Beaker

3. Volumetric flask

4. Pipette

The correct answer is: Pipette

The most precise laboratory equipment for measuring liquid is the pipette. This instrument is specifically designed for delivering accurate and precise volumes of liquid, which is essential in laboratory settings where consistency is critical for reproducible results. Pipettes come in various types, including micropipettes and graduated pipettes, each tailored for specific volume ranges with high accuracy. While a graduated cylinder provides a good level of precision and is suitable for measuring larger volumes of liquid, it is not as precise as a pipette because the meniscus reading can introduce slight errors if not read correctly. The volumetric flask is highly accurate for preparing specific solution volumes, but it is not typically used for measuring and transferring small, precise volumes, making it less versatile than a pipette for various laboratory tasks. Beakers, while useful for mixing and holding liquids, lack the precision required for accurate volume measurements. Thus, the exceptional precision and ability to measure and transfer small quantities make the pipette the best choice for precise liquid measurement in a laboratory context.