Question

Explain the following: An all glass apparatus is used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid.

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that Nitric acid is highly fuming, toxic and can cause severe burns. It is also corrosive in nature due to which it can easily react and therefore it can’t be stored in plastics apparatus.

Complete step by step answer:
- As we know that Nitric acid is highly fuming liquid, which is corrosive and also spreads in air. Due to its corrosive nature the vapours of Nitric acid are found to corrode the cork, plastic and rubber therefore, all glass apparatus are used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid. As Nitric acid doesn’t react with glass.
- Glass has been a main component used in laboratories. It is found that glass has properties like it is highly durable, it is relatively inert, it is chemical resistant due to which glass was used to make a wide range of apparatus.
- It is also economical as it is inexpensive, therefore it can be easily afforded. It is also found to be easily customizable. It is heat resistance, breakage and pressure resistance as well.
- Hence, we can say that due to the corrosive nature of nitric acid, an all glass apparatus is used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid.

Note:
One should handle nitric acid very carefully as it is very dangerous, and is capable of burning. It should also not be inhaled, as it causes health risks like corrosion of mucous membrane and even leads to death.