A student needs to transfer 20.0 mL of a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution into a reaction flask. Which piece of apparatus is most appropriate for this task?
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer
D. A 20 mL volumetric pipette
Principle or equation
For accurate and safe transfer of a specific volume of a corrosive liquid, a volumetric pipette is designed to deliver an exact volume with high precision. A graduated cylinder is less precise; a beaker is not for precise volume measurement; a burette is for dispensing variable volumes during titration, not for transferring a fixed volume.
Why this answer is correct
A volumetric pipette is calibrated to deliver a specific volume (20.0 mL) accurately. It is also safe for corrosive liquids because it has a bulb and is used with a pipette filler, avoiding direct mouth suction. The other options either lack the required precision or are not intended for transferring a fixed volume.
Example
To transfer exactly 20.0 mL of HCl, use a 20 mL volumetric pipette and a pipette filler.
This published item includes a stored explanation and passed the platform’s publication workflow. It is independent preparation material, not a claim of an official or recalled examination question.