Which piece of laboratory glassware is designed for making up solutions to a precise volume?

• A. Volumetric flask
• B. Erlenmeyer flask
• C. Beaker
• D. Test tube

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is choosing glassware that guarantees a precise final volume when making up a solution. A volumetric flask is built with a narrow neck and a single calibration line that indicates the exact volume when the liquid reaches that mark. When you fill to the mark, the amount of solution is known precisely, which is crucial for preparing standard solutions with accurate concentrations. This precision is why volumetric flasks are favored for making up solutions to a precise volume. Other common glassware—Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers, and test tubes—are designed primarily for mixing or handling liquids and have approximate volumes that aren’t reliable for exact measurements. Therefore, the glassware meant for precise final volumes is the volumetric flask.