Learn to fill a Burette in a chemistry Lab step-by-step
In order to fill a burette one must first close the stopcock, and pour in the solution by means of a funnel until the zero mark is reached, making sure that all the air bubbles have been removed from the end of the burette, after which remove the excess solution that may have been poured into the burette, until the meniscus is at the zero mark. Make sure there is no dribbling away of the solution, and that the burette is held in a vertical position, in order that the graduation may be read accurately.
Steps to Follow:
Step 1: Be sure that the stopcock is averaging closed, before the solution is poured in.
Step 2: Use a funnel by all means, but take every care not to pour into the burette, the solution above the zero mark.
Step 3: Slightly open the stopcock, in order to wet the end of the tube, allowing the solution to drop from time to time until all the air bubbles are removed from the tip.
Step 4: If the solution is too high above zero, allow it to escape slowly until it is down to the zero line.
Step 5: Remove the funnel from the burette when it has been fill, as drips will result if this is permitted to remain.
Pro Tip: Place a sheet of white paper behind the burette, in order that the meniscus of the burette may be more easily observed.
Common Mistakes: Bubbles of air not removed from the end of the burette give false readings, and if the funnel is left in the burette after it has been fill with the solution, there will be drippings or faulty readings after every operation. Fill with the stopcock open gives rise to burette, solution being lost in this way, while overfilling the burette with solution means waste of solution.
Summary: Fill the burette slowly, remove all air bubbles, get the meniscus to zero, keep it vertical, and you have accurate charging, and can go ahead with your titration readings, not fearing loss of accuracy.
