Final answer:
The cone in a cone and plate viscometer is used to measure the viscosity of liquids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the cone in a cone and plate viscometer is to measure the viscosity of liquids. The cone has a very small angle, which allows for precise measurement of how quickly the liquid flows down the cone. By measuring the time it takes for the liquid to flow through a narrow vertical tube or for steel balls to fall through the liquid, the viscometer can calculate the viscosity of the liquid using Stokes' law.