New Glass wares should be soaked in ________ before use.
AAlkali
BDistilled water
CDeionised water
DAcids
Answer:
D. Acids
Read Explanation:
Laboratory Safety and Protocol
- New laboratory glassware often contains residual manufacturing impurities, such as free alkali or dust, which can interfere with precise chemical experiments.
- Standard laboratory procedure mandates soaking new glassware in a dilute acid solution, commonly 1-2% Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) or Nitric Acid (HNO₃), for several hours or overnight.
- This process effectively neutralizes any alkaline residues on the glass surface, ensuring the apparatus is chemically neutral before it comes into contact with sensitive reagents.
- After the acid soak, the glassware must be thoroughly rinsed with distilled or deionized water to remove any remaining acid ions that could contaminate future reactions.
- For certain analytical precision tasks, after the acid treatment, glassware may also be rinsed with acetone or ethanol to remove non-polar residues, followed by drying in a hot air oven.