What are the uses of Erlenmeyer flask?

Answer 1

Physical Description

An Erlenmeyer Flask (named after Emil Erlennmeyer) is a common piece of laboratory glassware since 1861. It is also known as as a conical flask or E-flask. It has a conical body, flat base and a narrow cylindrical neck. The flask is usually marked to indicate the approximate volume of their contents.

The flask is chosen to replace a beaker if there is a need to stopper the contents. The narrow neck is sized to accept standard rubber stoppers or corks.

The conical shape and narrow neck facilitates stirring by swirling.

The small neck reduces evaporative losses. The neck may be fitted with side tubes to allow the extraction of produced gases

The flat bottom improves stability on lab benches. A Florence flask has a similar overall use but is more unstable because the body is round and the base is smaller.

Uses

Erlenmeyer flasks are used for:

• pH titrations
• the preparation of mixtures which must be mixed without stirring

Disadvantages:

The Erlenmeyer is often stirred with a glass rod even though swirling is more often suggested. Inexperience students often do this while holding the flask at near eye level. A tap with the rod will knock the bottom off dumping the (usually nasty poisonous, hot and corrosive) contents all over the students legs.

Erlenmeyer flasks are used to measure, mix, and store liquids.

Answer 2

Used of graduated cylinder