What is the primary use of a burette in a laboratory?

A burette is primarily used to dispense precise volumes of liquids, particularly in titration experiments where accuracy is crucial. The design of a burette—long, graduated tube with a stopcock at the bottom—allows for the controlled release of liquid, enabling the user to measure and deliver quantities down to the milliliter level with high precision. This accuracy is essential for achieving reliable results in chemical reactions, where the correct proportions of reactants can significantly affect outcomes.

In contrast, other options serve different purposes: evaporating liquids is typically done with an evaporating dish or similar apparatus, measuring temperature requires a thermometer, and preparing samples involves different equipment suited for mixing or combining substances. Each of these processes depends on tools that are specifically designed for those tasks, making the burette uniquely valuable for dispensing liquids accurately in various experimental contexts.