An Erlenmeyer flask (also known as a conical flask) is a type of laboratory glassware which consists of an inverted conical base with a cylindrical neck. The main advantages in an Erlenmeyer flask are that it is less likely to tip over than a Florence flask and the smaller neck slows evaporative loss better than a beaker. It can also be swirled without fear of the contents spilling. It is named after the German chemist Richard Erlenmeyer. The conical flask's counterpart is the beaker. However the main difference is that conical flasks may be stoppered using rubber bungs, so as the contents of the flask may be mixed or transported safely. The flask is not usually used when heating substances vigorously, this task usually being left to the Florence flask.
To anchor an Erlenmeyer flask, a 'C' shaped lead or iron weight may be placed over the outside, to keep the flask firmly planted.
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