Assay Flask
notes: label: Description
content: The term "assay" implies an analysis for only a certain constituent (or constituents) of a mixture. A good example is the assay of an ore for gold. That sort of assay would be done using a dry method, i.e. heating the ore in a crucible.
label: Description
content: An assay can also be performed using a wet method. A good example is the extraction of an alkaloid from dried plant material. The plant sample is placed in a vessel into which a solvent is introduced. The active constituent is separated from the sample and extracted by chemical means.
label: Description
content: The flask featured here, with its sloping sides and narrow mouth, is used for the wet assay method. The sample and solvent would be combined in this vessel. Additional apparatus would be used for the separation and extraction of the active constituent.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Chemistry
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content: Energy & Power
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content: Science & Mathematics
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content: Artifact Walls exhibit
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Barbara A. Keppel
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1985.0311.064
label: catalog number
content: 1985.0311.064
label: accession number
content: 1985.0311
objectType: label: Object Name
content: flask, assay
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: glass (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 168 mm x 89 mm; 6 5/8 in x 3 1/2 in
label: Measurements
content: overall: 6 3/4 in x 3 9/16 in; 17.145 cm x 9.04875 cm