Laboratory flasks are vessels or containers that fall into the category of laboratory equipment known as glassware. In laboratory and other scientific settings, they are usually referred to simply as flasks. Flasks come in a number of shapes and a wide range of sizes, but a common distinguishing aspect in their shapes is a wider vessel "body" and one narrower tubular sections at the top called necks which have an opening at the top. Laboratory flask sizes are specified by the volume they can hold, typically in metric units such as milliliters or liters. Laboratory flasks have traditionally been made of glass, but can also be made of plastic.
Erlenmeyer flasks from the Argonne National Laboratory.
Laboratory glassware refers to a variety of equipment used in scientific work, and traditionally made of glass. Glass can be blown, bent, cut, molded, and formed into many sizes and shapes, and is therefore common in chemistry, biology, and analytical laboratories. Many laboratories have training programs to demonstrate how glassware is used and to alert first–time users to the safety hazards involved with using glassware.
Three beakers, an Erlenmeyer flask, a graduated cylinder and a volumetric flask
Late 17th-century laboratory glassware in the painting by Cornelis de Man (National Museum in Warsaw).
Brown glass jars with some clear lab glassware in the background
An Erlenmeyer and a filtering flask. Note the barbed sidearm on the filtering flask.
