How to Weigh Small Amounts
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Weighing out small amounts is always nerve-racking. Between a shaky hand, an unwelcomed breeze or a scale full of static, there are plenty of ways for your precious few milligrams of material to vaporize into thin air. As a result, it is often tempting to get the solid into the “safer” heavier flask where at least it will be protected. However, this is not always the best idea.
Although this protocol focuses on scales, the concept is relevant to any piece of equipment. Whether it’s a beaker, a pipetman, or a spectrophotometer, it’s always a good idea to set up the experiment so that the instrument measures the largest percentage change possible. For example, measuring out 1 microliter of liquid using a P1000 (0.1% change) is far less accurate than the same measurement made with a P10 (10% change).
Another important point is not to try filming a scientific protocol after midnight…
