Which practice is recommended for preparing glassware before use?

Which practice is recommended for preparing glassware before use?

• A. Soaking in detergent
• B. All of the above
• C. Rinsing with nitric acid
• D. Treatment with sodium chromate in sulfuric acid

Answer: (B)

Preparing glassware is about removing every kind of residue that could affect results—grease, minerals, and stubborn organics. Soaking in detergent is the first step because it breaks down oils and soils so they can be washed away. An acid rinse, such as nitric acid, helps dissolve mineral deposits and remove trace metal contaminants that the detergent misses. A cleaning bath with sodium chromate in sulfuric acid (chromic acid cleaning) tackles any remaining organic residues by oxidizing them and helps refresh the glass surface to minimize future adsorption of contaminants. When you combine these steps with a thorough final rinse and drying, the glassware is clean and suitable for precise work.

Preparing glassware is about removing every kind of residue that could affect results—grease, minerals, and stubborn organics. Soaking in detergent is the first step because it breaks down oils and soils so they can be washed away. An acid rinse, such as nitric acid, helps dissolve mineral deposits and remove trace metal contaminants that the detergent misses. A cleaning bath with sodium chromate in sulfuric acid (chromic acid cleaning) tackles any remaining organic residues by oxidizing them and helps refresh the glass surface to minimize future adsorption of contaminants. When you combine these steps with a thorough final rinse and drying, the glassware is clean and suitable for precise work.