Which instrument is best suited for accurately measuring 500 mL of solution?

The 500 mL volumetric flask is specifically designed for preparing solutions to a precise volume. Its narrow neck and wide base allow for accurate measurement when calibration marks are utilized, making it ideal for preparing specific volumes of liquid. The volumetric flask is calibrated to contain an exact volume at a particular temperature, ensuring precision that is critical in quantitative chemical analyses or preparing solutions where accuracy is essential.

Graduated cylinders, while useful for measuring volumes, are not as precise as volumetric flasks due to the larger range of potential error in their markings. Pipettes, on the other hand, are excellent for transferring small, specific volumes but would not be suitable for measuring as large a volume as 500 mL. Erlenmeyer flasks are useful for mixing solutions but do not provide the level of accuracy required for measuring exact volumes like those found in a volumetric flask. Thus, the volumetric flask stands out as the best choice for accurately measuring 500 mL of solution.