why must not the condensed water drip into the flask?
I don't have any knowledge of what experiment you've done.
Experiment Title: Molecular Weight of a Volatile Liquid
The reason why condensed water should not be allowed to drip back into a flask primarily relates to the potential contamination of the contents within the flask. When conducting experiments or any other process that requires a specific composition or purity of the substance in the flask, it is important to avoid introducing unwanted impurities.
If condensed water were allowed to drip back into the flask, it could carry microscopic particles or contaminants that might be present in the surrounding environment or within the apparatus itself. These impurities could alter the desired properties or chemical reactions of the substance being studied or manipulated in the flask, leading to inaccurate or unreliable results.
To prevent this, a common lab practice involves using a condenser, which is connected to the apparatus, to collect and redirect the condensed water away from the flask. The condenser allows the water vapor to condense back into liquid form, but it is designed to direct the flow away from the flask, often into a separate collection container or a sink.
Ensuring that the condensed water doesn't drip into the flask helps maintain the purity and integrity of the substances being handled, promoting the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.