Erlenmeyer flask
The Erlenmeyer flask is a type of laboratory glassware featuring a conical body, flat bottom, and narrow cylindrical neck, designed primarily for mixing, heating, and storing chemical solutions while minimizing spillage during agitation.[1][2] Invented by German organic chemist Emil Erlenmeyer in 1861, the flask's shape provides stability on flat surfaces, enables efficient swirling of contents, and accommodates stoppers, funnels, or titrators at the neck.[1][3] Typically constructed from borosilicate glass for thermal resistance, it is available in volumes ranging from 10 mL to over 6 L, making it versatile for analytical chemistry, titrations, and microbial culturing.[2][4] The design's advantages include reduced evaporation compared to open vessels and compatibility with heating mantles, though it is not ideal for precise volume measurements, for which graduated cylinders or volumetric flasks are preferred.[2][4]