### (a) Materials Used to Make Up the Laboratory Apparatus
1. **Beaker:** Typically made from borosilicate glass or sometimes plastic (usually polypropylene or polyethylene).
2. **Measuring Cylinder:** Made from borosilicate glass, plastic (usually polymethyl methacrylate or polypropylene).
3. **Thermometer:** The outer casing is usually made from glass, and the internal component might be either mercury (in traditional thermometers) or alcohol.
4. **Pipette:** Made from glass (borosilicate glass) or plastic (plastic pipettes are generally made from polypropylene).
5. **Test Tube:** Made from borosilicate glass or sometimes plastic.
6. **Flasks:** Typically made from borosilicate glass, but can also be made from plastic.
7. **Watch Glass:** Made from borosilicate glass.
8. **Gas Jar:** Usually made from glass.
9. **Thistle Funnel:** Made from borosilicate glass or plastic.
### (b) Reasons for Using the Suggested Materials
1. **Chemical Resistance:**
- **Borosilicate glass** is highly resistant to thermal shock and chemical reactions, making it ideal for laboratory settings where chemicals can react violently or corrosively.
- **Plastics like polypropylene** also offer good chemical resistance, making them useful for storing and measuring corrosive materials.
2. **Durability and Safety:**
- **Borosilicate glass** is more durable than regular glass because it can withstand high temperatures and sudden temperature changes without cracking. This ensures that the apparatus can be used repeatedly without the risk of breakage.
- **Plastic materials** used in laboratories, such as polypropylene, are also relatively durable and resistant to cracking, making them suitable for multiple uses and safer for certain types of experiments.
3. **Transparency:**
- **Glass apparatus** offer transparency, which is crucial for observing reactions, measuring liquid levels accurately, and ensuring thorough cleaning.
- **Certain plastics** are also clear, allowing for similar observational benefits.
4. **Versatility:**
- **Borosilicate glass** can be molded into various forms and sizes to create different laboratory apparatus, making it highly versatile.
- **Plastic** can be easily molded, is lightweight, and less prone to breaking compared to glass, making it suitable for a variety of laboratory equipment.
Overall, the materials mentioned are chosen to meet the rigorous demands of laboratory work, balancing factors such as chemical resistance, durability, safety, clarity, and versatility.
8. You are provided with the following laboratory apparatus, beaker, measuring cylinder, thermometer pipette, test tube, flasks, watch glass, gas jar, and thistle funnel.
(a) Name the materials used to make up the above apparatus
(b) Give four (4) reasons for suggestion made (a) above
1 answer