The spelling of "Kjeldahl flask" can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "Kjel," is pronounced as /kjɛl/ with a 'k' sound followed by a 'y' glide. The second syllable, "dahl," is pronounced /dɑl/ with an 'ah' sound. "Flask" is pronounced as /flæsk/ with an 'f' sound and a short 'a' sound. Therefore, the correct spelling of this word is derived from the phonetic pronunciation of the Danish chemist Johan Kjeldahl's name, who invented the Kjeldahl method for protein analysis.
A Kjeldahl flask is a specialized laboratory glassware primarily designed for conducting Kjeldahl nitrogen determination, a widely used method for measuring the nitrogen content in organic substances. It consists of a round-bottomed borosilicate glass container with a long neck, which tapers off to accommodate a well-fitting stopper.
The flask is typically used in a series of chemical reactions involved in the Kjeldahl method. Firstly, the organic sample is digested with concentrated sulfuric acid, which converts the nitrogen present in organic compounds into ammonium sulfate. The digestion process usually takes place inside the Kjeldahl flask. This flask's round bottom allows for convenient swirling and mixing of the sample during digestion, ensuring thorough contact between the acid and sample.
After digestion, the resulting solution is then neutralized by adding a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide. This neutralization enables the subsequent distillation step, where the ammonium sulfate is converted to ammonia gas through the addition of an alkaline substance, like sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The distillate is then collected in a receiving vessel for further analysis.
The Kjeldahl flask's tapered neck accommodates quick and secure fitting of appropriate apparatus, such as a condenser and a delivery tube, to conduct the distillation process. The stopper ensures a tight seal, preventing the escape of fumes during digestion and distillation.
Overall, the Kjeldahl flask is an integral part of the Kjeldahl apparatus, facilitating the digestion and distillation required for accurate nitrogen determination in various organic samples, making it an essential tool in analytical chemistry laboratories.
The word "Kjeldahl flask" is named after Johan Kjeldahl, a Danish chemist who developed the Kjeldahl method for determining nitrogen content in organic compounds. Kjeldahl invented and used specific laboratory apparatus, including a round-bottomed flask, known as the Kjeldahl flask, in his method. This flask was used for digestion and distillation processes involved in the analysis of nitrogen content. Therefore, the flask was named in honor of Johan Kjeldahl due to his significant contributions to analytical chemistry.