Why is it that in particular experiments they say to use a Hirsch funnel while we have both the Hirch funnel and the buchner funnel at our disposal. In my opinion I prefer to use the buchner funnel to using the Hirch funnel because product gets stuck in the funnel and scraping the product out does not get all of it out.

The buchner funnel however is great for getting all the product out by just sliding it off the filter paper.

So is there a reason why in some cases you would use the hirsch funnel as opposed to the buchner funnel?

I have, at times, lost solid in the

Buchner funnel because the paper was a) a little too small, b)the edges of the paper didn't seal, or c)the vacuum pulled some of the solid through the paper. I didn't have a Hirsch funnel at my disposal; therefore, I never used one.

The Hirch funnel in practice should be washed I assume just like the fritted filter funnel with acid and base but we don't wash ours.(very bad as when I use alconox it gets stuck at the bottom of the funnel and it seems some product has gotten lodged in the porous surface as well.)

I don't feel the buchner funnel is any worse in some situation like when you have crystals which are composed of water and other compounds. I learned this since I used the hirsch funnel and it didn't do a good job and a whole lot of the product was lost as I saw it in the flask and below the hirsch funnel filtering disk.

I asked whether we were supposed to weigh the hirsch funnel before filtering as I knew that there was going to be product stuck in there as it was inevitable and I was told, no. This in my opinion is totally brainless as I was just told to scrape out as much as I could. This would be fine but then we are told to calculate the percent yield and I don't see how they can tell people to do this with about 1/3 of the product still in the funnel.

The choice between a Hirsch funnel and a Buchner funnel in a particular experiment depends on the characteristics of the experiment and the desired outcome. While both funnels serve similar purposes in separating solids from liquids, they have different designs and functions.

The Hirsch funnel is a conical funnel with a narrow stem. It typically requires the use of filter paper and is suitable for fine filtration. The narrow stem of the Hirsch funnel helps to reduce the surface area where the product can potentially get stuck. However, as you mentioned, it can still be challenging to scrape all the product out, especially if it forms a stubborn residue.

On the other hand, the Buchner funnel has a flat bottom and is designed to work in combination with a vacuum filtration setup. Instead of using filter paper, it uses a porous ceramic, glass, or plastic plate, called a Buchner plate, which allows for faster filtration. The use of vacuum pressure helps draw the liquid through the plate and leaves behind the solid product on the surface. In this setup, the product is easily scraped off the plate with a spatula, as you mentioned.

So why would someone choose the Hirsch funnel over the Buchner funnel? Here are a few possible reasons:

1. Particle size: If the solid being filtered is extremely fine or if there is a need for very precise separation, the Hirsch funnel with filter paper may provide better results. The filter paper can trap smaller particles more effectively.

2. Clogging: In some cases, the porous plate of a Buchner funnel can become clogged, especially if the solid being filtered has a high concentration or is very dense. This can negatively impact the filtration process, making the Hirsch funnel with its smaller stem a better option.

3. Experimental requirements: Certain experiments may specifically require the use of a Hirsch funnel due to the nature of the substances being filtered or the desired outcome. It could be a result of the experimental design, established protocols, or the preference of the researcher.

Ultimately, the choice between a Hirsch funnel and a Buchner funnel depends on the specific needs of the experiment and the characteristics of the solid-liquid separation process. It's good to have both options available, as they each have their advantages and can be used in different scenarios to achieve the desired outcome. It's always important to consider the efficiency, ease of use, and quality of the filtration when selecting the appropriate funnel for a particular experiment.