What is the primary function of a volumetric flask?

A volumetric flask is specifically designed for preparing and diluting solutions to a precise volume. Its primary function is to measure and make solutions of known concentration, which is essential in various experiments and applications in chemistry and biology. The flask has a narrow neck and a marked graduation line, allowing for accurate filling to a specific volume, ensuring that the concentration of solutes is precise.

This characteristic makes the volumetric flask invaluable in quantitative analysis, where the exact concentration of a solution is crucial for reproducibility and accuracy in experimental results. By using a volumetric flask, scientists can create solutions with a defined molarity, which is fundamental in titrations and other processes where precise measurements of reagents are required.

Other containers, such as beakers or Erlenmeyer flasks, do not provide the same level of accuracy for measuring specific volumes, which is why they are not suitable for preparing standardized solutions.